The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Bright Msaka, SC, has acknowledged the importance of the proposed Higher Education Bill, describing it as a critical piece of legislation that addresses concerns raised by private universities and is long overdue.
The Minister made the remarks on Tuesday in Lilongwe during a meeting with the Association of Private Universities in Malawi (APUMA), which focused on challenges and contributions of private institutions in the higher education sector.
Msaka assured the association that the Ministry will work closely with the Ministry of Justice to update and advance the Bill. He also addressed concerns regarding perceived bias between public and private universities, stating that regulatory standards apply equally to all institutions.
On student financing, the Minister said Government is committed to ensuring that all qualifying students are considered for student loans, as the current support to private university students covers about 50 percent of tuition fees for one semester.
He further emphasised the need to strengthen both physical and digital learning infrastructure, with particular focus on expanding access to digital libraries in line with modern education demands.
APUMA Chairperson, Professor David Boston Kamchacha, highlighted the significant role private universities play in expanding access to higher education, creating employment, and supporting the Malawi 2063 Vision of building a knowledge-based economy.
However, he outlined several challenges facing private institutions, including limited investment, staff development needs, and accreditation processes. He also urged Government to expedite the tabling of the Higher Education Bill, which has been under discussion since 2016, to ensure fair and equitable treatment across the sector.
Professor Kamchacha further appealed for policy incentives such as tax holidays for newly established institutions and tax credits to support infrastructure development, in recognition of the contribution private universities make to the education sector and the economy.
The Ministry continues to work with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to address accreditation and registration issues affecting private universities.
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