BY MBONO MDLULI
KWALUSENI – His Majesty King Mswati III presided over the 2025 graduation ceremony of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), held on Saturday at the Kwaluseni Campus, where he conferred academic awards to 1 510 graduands in various disciplines.
The celebratory event drew thousands of attendees, including family members, friends, and dignitaries, who gathered to support the graduates in marking this significant academic milestone.
The graduates received certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees across a wide range of programmes, including journalism and mass communication, economics, education, humanities, science, food science, nursing, midwifery, environmental health science, law (LLB), and engineering, among others.
Growth in Graduate Numbers
This year’s number of graduates represents an 18% increase from last year’s total of 1 256. Of the 1 510 graduates in 2025:
- 174 received certificates
- 15 were awarded diplomas
- 1 274 earned bachelor’s degrees
- 47 attained master’s degrees
Among them were police officers who completed diplomas in Police Science, a programme offered jointly by UNESWA and the Matsapha Police Academy through the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Acknowledgment of Government Support
During his speech at the ceremony, UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala expressed profound appreciation to His Majesty King Mswati III for his continued support and advocacy for higher education in Eswatini. He also acknowledged the Government of Eswatini for awarding 1 700 scholarships in 2024, despite the ongoing fiscal challenges facing the nation.
“This support has enabled thousands of young Emaswati to pursue higher education and fulfil their academic ambitions,” Professor Thwala said.
UNESWA Student Population
UNESWA currently has 8 600 students, of whom 5 600 (65%) are sponsored by the Eswatini Government, while 3 000 are self-sponsored. The university has also seen a rise in international enrolment, with 145 international students from countries across Africa and Asia, including Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, DRC, South Korea, Ethiopia, USA, and Switzerland.
Professor Thwala noted that this growing international representation is a testament to the university’s expanding academic reputation.
“The presence of students from across the globe demonstrates the relevance and competitiveness of UNESWA’s academic offerings on the international stage,” he said.
Looking Ahead
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to providing quality education and contributing to national development. He urged graduates to carry forward the values and skills they acquired and to make meaningful contributions to society.
The ceremony concluded with celebratory cheers, cultural performances, and a strong sense of pride as the Class of 2025 embarked on their next journey beyond university life.
