Blantyre International University At A Glance
Blantyre International University BIU) was established in 2008 to provide high quality university education for this century. This is predicated on its belief that education must be life-long – that education is not a spatial monopoly of something called the school and college; not a time-bound learning experience; there is no such thing as childhood education, adolescent education, youth education, or adult education. There is just education which is a way of life, a life-long way of life. Every year, every month, everyday, a person will be learning, open to learning and must be given the opportunity to learn in the home, school, university, factory, farm, hospital, office, co-operative, church, trade union, political party, cinema and club, etc. Education must be open.
In this regard, BIU believes in the need for the re-orientation and vitalisation of education with a view to preparing the young for the modern times that we live in, as a result of the following demands:
1) There will be large changes in job categories, with possible fifty per cent of job categories changing in one generation.
2) Skills need to be renewed at the rate of approximately fifty per cent every three to five years.
3) Technology will require increased multiple thinking.
The implication of these demands is that education for the workplace of this century needs to be broadly based. While the importance of academic and vocational capacities is well known, this is not true of the enterprise capability. The enterprise capability includes skills of thinking, planning, communicating, organising, problem solving, monitoring and assessing. This demands a change in the way learning is achieved. It is also recognised that the most successful worker in the modern changed time and age would be the person who has the most balanced personal development, and who is open to new ideas and opportunities. Therefore, workforce education programmes have to be conceived broadly. BIU, therefore, puts great emphasis on the following philosophy of education for the modern age that we live in:
a) A new view of knowledge.
b) A greater integration of knowledge.
c) A renewed commitment to life-long learning.
d) A commitment to the goal that education must be for all and not just for some.
e) A commitment to learning how to learn and to develop a love for learning in order to provide the basic building blocks for life-long learning, involving the development of the ability to critically assess one’s learning.
f) A third “passport: of learning, namely, the enterprise passport, which involves nourishing the capabilities of thinking, planning, cooperating, communicating, organising, solving problems, monitoring and assessing.
g) An emphasis on personal development, self awareness, esteem and confidence, in order to deal with a rapidly changing world.
h) A commitment to promoting inter-personal development supporting the ability of young people to develop relationships with others.
i) A commitment to cooperative globalism, a commitment to ‘care for all.’
The Role of Blantyre International University
In line with the above philosophy, BIU holds the view that the university system has important responsibilities to society as a whole and to the educational system itself. The significance of the traditional functions of acquisition, preservation, dissemination and extension of the frontier of knowledge, the balanced education of individuals and the training of high level personnel for all walks of life is obvious. But a modern university, especially in a developing country like Malawi, has to undertake several other functions as well. It must, for instance:
a) Inculcate and promote basic human values and the capacity to choose between alternative value systems;
b) Preserve and foster one,s great cultural traditions and blend them with essential elements from other cultures and peoples to develop a vibrant culture;
c) Promote a rational outlook and scientific temper;
d) Promote the development of the total personality of the students and inculcate in them a commitment to society through involvement in community service;
e) Act as an objective critic of society and assist in the formulation of national objectives and programmes for their realisation;
f) Promote commitment to the pursuit of excellence; and, above all
g) Contribute to the improvement of the entire educational system so as to serve the community.
BIU also believes that university education should aim at the following:
a) To teach that life has a meaning.
b) To awaken the innate ability to live the life of soul by developing wisdom.
c) To train for self-development.
d) To develop certain values like fearlessness of mind, strength of conscience and integrity of purpose.
e) To acquaint with cultural heritage for its regeneration.
f) To enable to know that education is a life-long process.
g) To develop understanding of the present as well as of the past.
h) To provide education that is relevant to business and industry needs.
i) To impart vocational and professional training.
j) To prepare students to be wealth and job creators rather than mere job seekers.
Vision of the University
The vision of the University is “To be a world class university of academic excellence,” with the following fundamental aims:
The development of the intellectual potential and character of every individual through active participation in learning.
A probing, analytical thinking process that helps individuals to clarify and expand their beliefs and values and motivates lifelong learning.
Basic skills in communication, technology, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and research needed for future fields of work.
A learning environment which promotes and models global understanding and multicultural perspectives in all areas of academic, administrative, and student life.
Perspectives on global history, issues, concerns and applications in objective and innovative ways in all programmes.
Human, technical, material and experimental resources and opportunities which enhance the academic and non-academic life of the community.
Faculty and staff who understand their disciplines and areas of responsibilities, objective learners, models of ethical behaviour and representative of diverse beliefs, nationalities and experiences.
The involvement of stakeholders in the design, implementation and evaluation of the University’s mission and future direction.
Creation of a vibrant culture and adding value to the natural environment and to the national economy.
Core Values
The core values of the University are excellence, integrity, diversity and innovation.
Mission of the University
The mission of the University is “to provide world class broad-based educational programmes that promote inquiry, mastery and application of knowledge, concepts and skills while fostering ethical leadership and responsibility.”
The University will endeavour to prepare students to live and work in a multi-cultural, multi-national environment and will offer internationally recognized degrees.
Accreditation
BIU is a fully accredited university by the Government of Malawi as an institution of higher learning. It was given this status on 1st June, 2010.
Academic Calendar
First Semester
From Mid January to Mid June every year
Second Semester
From Mid July to Mid December every year