IPOR presents financial support to UNIMA students

The University of Malawi has received support from the Institute of Public Opinion and Research (IPOR), under the Edward Chiwaula Trust, with the aim of aiding financially disadvantaged students. On 11th April 2023, there was a ceremony to mark the handing over of the financial assistance.

The event was led by Dr Mwatseteza, the Director of Student Affairs, who expressed his gratitude to the staff members of IPOR for their generous support to the students at the University of Malawi. Dr Mwatseteza pointed out that the support received on this occasion is the second highest ever received at the University. In his remarks, he urged the students to maintain good discipline and excellent performance in order to continue receiving the monthly upkeep from IPOR.

The IPOR Director of Strategy and Management, Professor Blessings Chinsinga, explained that the Edward Chiwaula Trust was established in 2016 with the intention of aiding students with limited needs as part of IPOR’s corporate responsibility. Currently, it has over 60 beneficiaries studying in different Universities.

“Nowadays, students in universities are struggling financially and this financial burden is also affecting their academic performance,” Chinsinga noted. “As such, our Edward Chiwaula Trust aims to overcome this barrier by providing support to needy students through a monthly upkeep of MK60,000 until they complete their education. Furthermore, the Edward Chiwaula Trust will extend internship opportunities to its well-performing beneficiaries after they graduate, to further train them in their respective careers”.

Chrissy Ulemu, a representative of the benefiting students, expressed joy as she presented her speech. “On behalf of my fellow students, we are grateful for the support you have rendered to us,” she said. “Many of us have been struggling financially in past semesters, which has been affecting our studies. But with the support from Edward Chiwaula Trust, we will now have peace of mind and be able to fully concentrate on our studies. We promise to work hard in class, be well disciplined, and give back to IPOR.”

The UNIMA Director of Student Affairs, as well as IPOR’s Director of Strategy and Management acknowledged this initiative as a significant relief to the parents of the students. They both urged the students to spend the money wisely and only purchase necessary items to support their education throughout the entire academic year. So far, at UNIMA alone, 24 students have benefited from the trust.