President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has distanced himself from challenges rocking public universities pointing out that the management of universities is in the hands of respective college management teams and councils.

Mutharika said this during the first congregation of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) held at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital Lilongwe on Wednesday.

In his speech, Mutharika said its not on for every challenge rocking higher education like closure of the universities should be attributed to him.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, let me also emphasise the need for good management and governance in universities. I know that some people are eager to point fingers at the Head of State and Chancellor for every problem that arises in the universities. I am the ultimate authority and I don’t mind. But we must remember the principles of good governance.

“The governance of every university is done by the Council and its Management. We have empowered them by Law to govern the universities on behalf of the Government. And I do not expect everything to come to me. I expect the Council and management to do what is required of them.

And to every Chairperson of Council and Vice Chancellor, let me say this. Malawians expect you to be visibly active in managing your university on behalf of Government. More so in times of crisis!”, said Muthaika.

Mutharika’s remarks come at a time when students from Polytechnic, a constituent College of the University of Malawi (UNIMA) are asking him to intervene on the closure of the college.

Meanwhile President Mutharika has been appointed as Chancellor of the LUANAR.