FAWEMA plans to help 1350 struggling young women and men access higher education at technical colleges and public universities. Board chair Maggie Madimbo announced this partnership with the National Council for Higher Education yesterday in Mponela, Dowa. The seven-year project, funded by the Mastercard Foundation, will also indirectly benefit 134,000 people.
The initiative, called Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men, enters its second year with support already going to the first group of students. It focuses mainly on science, technology, engineering, and vocational training, matching national development goals. Madimbo explained they want to assist bright but disadvantaged rural youth who cannot reach universities despite their abilities.
The project has two main parts: skills development for 600 young people who learn marketable abilities through the Labor Ministry and technical colleges and a bridging program helping 750 enter higher education. NCHE leader Ambumulire Phiri said the council created guidelines last year to fix problems and quality gaps in bridging programs. The rules specify minimum requirements and program length to improve consistency across institutions.
The initiative, called Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men, enters its second year with support already going to the first group of students. It focuses mainly on science, technology, engineering, and vocational training, matching national development goals. Madimbo explained they want to assist bright but disadvantaged rural youth who cannot reach universities despite their abilities.
The project has two main parts: skills development for 600 young people who learn marketable abilities through the Labor Ministry and technical colleges and a bridging program helping 750 enter higher education. NCHE leader Ambumulire Phiri said the council created guidelines last year to fix problems and quality gaps in bridging programs. The rules specify minimum requirements and program length to improve consistency across institutions.
