In a quest to address a skills gap in the construction industry, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has rolled out a three-year diploma programme in construction management. 

The programme which has been developed with technical support from the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) was launched on 12 April, 2024 at MUBAS campus in Blantyre. 

According to the Chief Executive Officer of NCIC, Engineer Gerald Khonje, the programme seeks to train competent and well qualified personnel in construction management as one way of improving standards of infrastructure in the country.  

Khonje said the construction industry can only grow if training institutions produce well qualified personnel. He said dwindling numbers of technicians in the industry made it imperative to introduce the diploma programme in order to address the skills gap in the industry.

"The more the construction industry plays a very significant role in the socio-economic development of the country, the more the industry grows, and the more it contributes to the development," said Khonje.

Khonje also said that it was a deliberate strategic move to partner with MUBAS. Khonje added:

The NCIC Chief said the country has well qualified and talented people in many professions who have made remarkable achievements around the globe and it is high time those milestones were replicated here, in Malawi: 

"Why should we be importing wheelbarrows? Why should we importing shovels or water pumps when we have mechanical, electrical and electronic engineers around?’’ Lamented Khonje.

In an interview to journalists after the launch, MUBAS Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera said much as the institution has produced graduates and diplomates in specialised fields such as civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, and architecture over the years, there was still a need to train specialists in construction management to add value to the industry. 

"Any construction site needs a clerk of work and this programme will produce an all-rounder professional in civil, mechanical, electrical and architecture works who will be able to offer professional management services at a construction site,’’ said Chitera.

Chitera assured the public that the university has put in place all structures, personnel and resources in readiness for the roll out of the programme. 

The three-year programme will be offered under the School of Built Environment and three members from the school namely, Charles Chiocha, Terence Namaona and Gilbert Chilinde were recognized for their contribution to the development of the programme.