The cheque presentation ceremony took place on November 28, 2023, at MUBAS. Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Getrude Sitolo, Director of Student Affairs at MUBAS expressed her gratitude for the timely support as the students were about to access their end-of-year grades.

“With the financial challenges that most of our students face, these 36 students were at the verge of being withdrawn from the University due to outstanding fees balances. The support extended to the students will have a significant impact on their academic lives and will ease the pressure the students had as the year was drawing to an end. On behalf of Management and the students, we appreciate and do not take this gesture for granted, and this marks the beginning of a partnership with your foundation’’ the excited Sitolo said.

Executive Dean of the School of Education, Communication and Media Studies, Dr. Kizito Kanyoma, added that the support from the Shepherd Bushiri Foundation will not only benefit the MUBAS students but also the people of Malawi because education is an investment for the whole nation. The gesture also supports the aspirations of MW2063 in widening access to higher education and that the Shepherd Bushiri Foundation is one key strategic partner in developing Malawi. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Shepherd Bushiri Foundation, Duncan Zgambo, stated that the primary objective of the initiative is to provide financial support to around 5,000 students in Malawi. This assistance will be directed towards their tuition fees and other academic requirements across various education levels in the country.  

“We recognize the importance of education on our youth, so we would like to assist as many youths as possible with financial support to enable them fulfil their desire and become independent, productive members of the community who will contribute to the social economic development of the country, and who will later on be able to help others as well” Zgambo said.

One of the beneficiaries of the financial assistance, Lawrence Fundeni, a third year Bachelor of Geological Engineering student, expressed joy and relief for the donation and thanked the Shepherd Bushiri Foundation for the support.

“I am very happy and grateful for the assistance because it will allow the University to process my end of year examinations. This will allow me to continue with my studies so that I obtain the qualification I have been longing for,” said Fundeni.

 MUBAS has a student population of over seven thousand and some of them come from underprivileged families who have difficulties in supporting their education endeavors.