All is set for the installation of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera as Chancellor of the University of Malawi (UMIMA) on Thursday in Zomba.

After the installation Chakwera will preside over the graduation of 461 students who will graduate with certificates, diplomas and degrees from Unima’s constituent colleges of Chancellor College, Kamuzu College of Nursing, College of Medicine (CoM) and the Polytechnic.

But in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the graduating students will hold no parade as has been the tradition.

“Instead of the parading exercise, names of students for a particular programme would be read and when the last name is mentioned, they will all stand up and the drum will be beaten marking their initiation into the Unima Alumni.

“Even those with credits and distinctions, they will also stand and follow the same pattern,” said UNIMA Registrar Dr Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga.

The installation will come barely a fortnight after Chakwera was also installed as Chancellor of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).

Chakwera is a graduate of Chancellor College.