University of Malawi (Unima) has released results and names of government sponsored candidates who have been admitted into various degree programmes of the university for the 2012/2013 academic year.

According to the press statement from the University Office, this year’s selection of government sponsored students was done using the equitable access system of admitting candidates into public institutions of higher learning.

“Under this arrangement, the top ten qualified candidates from each district were offered places and thereafter, the rest were selected based on merit and the size of the population of the districts they originated from to underscore that higher education, like any other form of development, should be seen to be benefiting the whole country” the statement reads in part.

Unima further says that all the selected government sponsored candidates have been admitted on non-residential basis in adherence to the current Unima policy but all candidates will be paid a monthly allowance each semester of an academic year on to be used for renting their accommodation and meals.

“In keeping with the prevailing Unima policy, candidates who would like to stay on campus will be required to apply for accommodation at their respective colleges and, if accepted, they will pay for their College accommodation and meals”.

This is because according to the statement, the colleges do not have the capacity to accommodate all the government sponsored students on campus.

A total of 8507 candidates sat for the 2012 University Entrance Examinations (UEE) and out of these, 2559 were females while 5948 were males representing 30 percent and 70 percent respectively.

From the total given above, 6373 candidates passed the 2012 UEE representing 75 percent pass rate. Out of the candidates that passed, 1647 were females and 4726 males. From these, a total of 908 candidates have been admitted into the University.

The gender distribution for the selected candidates is 445 females and 463 males representing 49% and 51% respectively.

The time the selected candidates sat for UEE, Bunda College of Agriculture was still under Unima. However, Bunda was delinked from Unima on July 1, 2012 to become part of the new university, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar).

Nevertheless, the university office says that all candidates that sat for the 2012 UEE and had applied for admission into programmes offered at Bunda, will be considered for admission as students of Luanar and the names of successful candidates would be released by Luanar.

“Any clarification on this arrangement can be sought from the University of Malawi Registrar” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the Unima has adjusted upward the tuition fee contribution for all continuing and new government sponsored from K25, 000.00 to K55, 000.00 per year starting from the next academic year.

The prevailing economic situation is said to have necessitated the fees hike.

“Candidates who will not be able to pay the fee contribution can apply for a loan available to needy university students from the Malawi Savings Bank”.