The launch has been cooperated by the project of Strengthening Higher Education Access in Malawi Activity (SHEAMA) which is funded by the USAID and implemented by Arizona University.

Speaking during the launch, the Principal, Professor Grant Kululanga expressed his satisfaction on how this program is going to run, taking into account that Polytechnic aims at increasing access to higher learning even to those who are geographically challenged to pursue the face to face mode of delivery.

He further advised the students that places are few in the public universities so they should utilise this opportunity to the fullest by working hard and achieving their goals.

“There are other students who have been withdrawn because of not working hard though they enrolled with very good grades. The formula is to work hard, study and participate fully in your academics,” he advised.

In his remarks the SHEAMA ODL Director Dr Joshua Valeta highlighted that their objective is to increase the employable and skillful work force in Malawi.

“This is why we have embarked on a mission for universities to come up with a program that enhances the already existing and new programs so that they are relevant to the market needs.” Dr Valeta said.

The Dean of the Faculty of Education and Media studies Dr Mary Kamwaza thanked the students for choosing to study at the Polytechnic and also encouraged them to take their studies seriously.

The orientation and facilitation program will run for three weeks at the Polytechnic ODL auditorium.