The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has joined forces with the Youth Net and Counselling Organization (YONECO) and Innovations for Change (IFC) to launch a transformative program aimed at addressing key issues affecting student welfare in higher education institutions.
The partnership recently took a significant step forward during a two-day workshop held to design and develop the program. The workshop, which was held on from Sunday, 15th December to Monda, 16th December 2024 and LUANAR – Bunda college campus, brought together experts from YONECO, IFC, and LUANAR, along with student leaders serving as social welfare directors from all LUANAR campuses.
Speaking during the event, LUANAR’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Kaunda, described the workshop as historic, underscoring the importance of partnerships with organizations passionate about youth development. He welcomed the consortium and encouraged student representatives to share their concerns openly:
“This activity is a historic one, as it has always been the desire of my office and LUANAR teams to work with organizations like YONECO and Innovations for Change that are deeply passionate about youth. I encourage our student representatives to open up and freely share the issues affecting their community.”
MacBain Mkandawire, the Executive Director of YONECO, emphasized the importance of the program, highlighting its potential to benefit all higher education institutions.
“The activities of this consortium will target institutions of higher learning in general, as the issues being discussed are likely to cut across all such institutions,” he explained.
Mkandawire also noted that implementing programs at universities is more challenging than at primary and secondary schools. Unlike younger students who usually accept interventions without question, university students tend to critically analyze and debate them. This, he said, calls for a tailored approach designed specifically for higher education students.
Building on this momentum, the Executive Director of Innovations for Change, Redson Chamveka, expressed excitement about the consortium's innovative approach and LUANAR’s pioneering role in the initiatives.
“We are excited to further our engagements with LUANAR and to introduce new initiatives that will target all public universities, with LUANAR having the privilege of pioneering them. Our methodology focuses on bringing solutions through innovations by the beneficiaries for sustainability,” said Chamveka
LUANAR’s Director of Student Affairs, Dr Ronnie Mvula, reinforced the importance of student involvement, noting that their input is crucial to addressing the issues at hand.
“Having students on board is critical, as the issues at hand are of primary concern to them. Their voices and perspectives are essential to the success of this initiative.” He said.
The workshop’s collaborative discussions identified key focus areas, including mental health support, financial literacy, and access to counseling services, aiming to create an inclusive and supportive academic environment.
During the workshop's closing session, Dr. Mvula emphasized the importance of the initiative:
“This partnership underscores our commitment to ensuring that our students thrive not only academically but also in terms of their overall well-being. We are confident that this program will set a benchmark for student welfare in the country.”
The initiative marks a significant step toward addressing the challenges faced by students in higher education and ensuring their holistic development. Further updates on the program's rollout and implementation are expected in the coming months.