NCHE, FAWEMA disseminate guidelines for tertiary institutions

Lilongwe, April 10, MANA: The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), in partnership with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWEMA) and the Ministry of Education, held a stakeholder's meeting on Thursday aimed at disseminating standardized Bridging Programme guidelines for both public and private institutions of higher learning in Malawi.

These guidelines will regulate tertiary education bridging programmes, thereby increasing access to and quality of tertiary education. Among other things, the guidelines include a minimum requirement for university enrollment: six credits at the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) or its equivalent.

Speaking during the meeting in Mponela Dowa, Deputy Director of Higher Education, Dr. Valentino Zimpita, stated that the guidelines will help establish clear standards for the programmes, ensuring consistency and quality.

“The Ministry mandated NCHE to coordinate the process of formulating the Guidelines for bridging programmes. This was done with a broader view to align with the Ministry’s policy and enhance the quality, effectiveness, and comparability of various programmes offered by different higher education institutions in the country,” he explained.

Zimpita said bridging programmes in higher education exist to facilitate quality enhancement, increase access, promote equity, inclusivity, and gender equality, and enable the acquisition of relevant knowledge and skills.

Chief Executive Officer for NCHE, Dr. Ambumulire Phiri, highlighted that the council developed the Guidelines in 2023 in response to inconsistencies, irregularities, and quality gaps experienced in the design, governance, and implementation of bridging programmes among higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country.

Among other things, the CEO mentioned that the absence of guidelines to harmonise and regulate bridging programmes in the education system, had risked undermining the goals and quality of higher education in Malawi.

In her remarks, FAWEMA Board Chairperson, Dr. Maggie Madimbo said the organization will directly support 1350 students, to attain higher education in technical colleges and public universities.

“We are excited to partner with the Ministry of Higher Education, NCHE, and the various institutions of higher learning to deliver this initiative that will increase access to tertiary education. FAWEMA will work with NCHE to enhance coordination and support to institutions of higher learning to strengthen bridging programs,” she added.

FAWEMA supported the dissemination of the standardized guidelines with financial support from the Mastercard Foundation through the “Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men”—a seven-year project implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education.

The two-day workshop was attended by 33 accredited universities, representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, education professional bodies, and regulators, among others.