It is no news that all spheres of life have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This has been characterized by the abrupt closures of institutions of learning across the country, leaving everyone hands akimbo and mouth agape!
When all hope was lost and with meagre learning resources and manpower the, University of Livingstonia and Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences in particular, stood its grounds and maintained the decency in imparting knowledge in its learners who, in reciprocation to the support rendered by members of staff, toiled day and night without ceasing to the successful completion of their programs of study.

However, owing to the pandemic, only 40 out of 521graduates attended the event physically at RAFIKI Institute in Mzuzu on Tuesday 11th May 2021. The rest of the graduates remotely patronized the event through the media such as the Malawi Broadcasting Station (MBC Television and Radio), Facebook page and the University’s website at the comfort of their homes and social gatherings. Nevertheless, a good number of graduates who never physically attended the event at RAFIKI Institute, were give the platform by the University’s Management to be in their graduating gowns and have their pictures taken at Kaning’ina Campus, a constituent college of the University of Livingstonia.

The Guest of Honor to the event was His Excellency the State President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. In his remarks, the State President said, ‘The creation of a new Malawi calls on all college graduates to use their acquired knowledge and skills for the expansion of our Nation’s development agenda and human capital.’ He therefore, urged the graduates to be bold and create new opportunities on the job market rather than competing for the existing old ones. This therefore, calls for innovative minds.

Present on the event was the Vice Chancellor, the Right Reverend Dr. Timothy Nyasulu, who in his remarks commented that even though the University encountered several challenges such as Covid-19 pandemic, the University managed to produce a crop of graduates after shifting to technology driven teaching and learning models.
The adage says hard work pays but working really hard works. Graduating students who graduated with distinctions walked away with K200, 000 each courtesy of the State President. It was quite mesmerizing, very intriguing and captivating at the same time as everyone stood up while the name PATRICIA MSISKA was being called. She walked to the podium in her majestic steps with confidence towards where the State President was standing in acknowledgement of her hard work. Patricia is a young lady who graduated with a distinction in Diploma in Registered Nursing (DipRN). Indeed! Beauty with brains.

It was quite a good atmosphere to watch and witness with keen interest, the respect the young lady received. This is the moment that many will dream of, but only a few will live to experience it unfolding. Thumbs up Patricia, you made Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences proud. No wonder the College Principal, Mr. E Kasonda and his Deputy, Mrs. L. Mwagomba were both stirred up in acknowledgement of the job well done. A big thanks to members of staff and the entire student community for the support rendered both directly and indirectly.

The day saw Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences graduating 41 students in Pharmacy Certificate, 57 students in Registered Nursing Generic Diploma and 21 students in Registered Nursing Upgrading Diploma. The Dean of Faculty in Nursing, Mrs. V. Kawonga and The Dean of Faculty in Clinical Sciences, Mr. M. Sautsa, in their professional gowns had the honor of calling out names of graduates in their respective faculties before His Excellency the State President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

May the Almighty God bless ECOHS - UNILIA and the Nation as whole.