By Linda Kwanjana

Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, on Thursday described Lilongwe University of Agricultural and Natural Resources (LUANAR) as a crucial and key partner towards implementation of the country’s Mega Farms project.

President Chakwera who is also LUANAR Chancellor, said this when he presided over the university’s 7th congregation at the Bunda College campus in Lilongwe where he awarded certificates, diplomas and degrees to deserving students.

Chakwera said this is the very same reason that when he accepted to be the Chancellor of what he called a prestigious University, he made a firm commitment that his government would ensure the smooth and speedy completion of the construction of the Gateway Administration and the Teaching Complex A that started in 2008 and were expected to finish in 2012.

“Last year I presided over the official opening of the Teaching Complex and made a commitment that my Government was going to expand the University
libraries at Bunda and NRC campuses from the current inadequate sitting capacity of 5000 to 9000,” he said.

President Chakwera said he was happy to inform that a consultant has now been engaged to design and oversee the construction of a state-of-the-art Resource Centre and Lecture Theatres.

The president said the actual construction of the facilities will take 36 months commencing on 1st April 2024.

“This will help the University to implement its aspirations. The construction of a state-of-the-art Teaching and Learning facility at NRC campus commenced last year and it is my expectation it will be completed as scheduled,” he said.

Some of the faculties represented at this ceremony include Veterinary Medicine, Natural Resources, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Food and Human Sciences, Development Studies, and Agriculture.

The activities lined up include performances by the LUANAR students’ Congregation Choir and the Malawi Police Brass Band.