By Solister Mogha

Zomba, November 22, Mana: University of Malawi (UNIMA), formerly Chancellor College, on Friday hosted a media open day to interact with media and showcase some of the courses being offered at the institution.

Apart from the displays, the university took the media to all departments, hostels, the library and other structures for them to have first-hand information.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for UNIMA, Sunduzwayo Madise, said the event was organized for the press to understand progress and contributions the university has made as well as challenges it is facing.

Madise said the college is the oldest of all colleges in the country and has contributed a lot to the academic circles.

"You may wish to know that there hasn't been much in terms of infrastructural development and this is hindering progress and growth.

"For example, our current student population is 12,500 yet we have 1,200 spaces for accommodation. In addition, our classes and library are not enough and this is even affecting our timetable," he said.

Despite the numerous challenges, Madise said the university is investing in a number of projects to ensure it remains the Centre of excellence.

UNIMA is planning to construct five more hostels each accommodating 700 students, buying e-books to ensure students have easy access to revenue material. It is also planning to constructing more theatre rooms.

"We are also planning to increase our enrollment so that the total student population should be 15,000 in the next few years," said Madise.

Apart from the media open day, the University also conducted theatre celebrations.

Over the weekend, the college will hold an alumni day for all those who went through the college to rejoin and rekindle their old memories.