BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – The Ministry of Education and Training has recommended an urgent review of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Government and the Africa Continent Mission, saying the move would strengthen the development of the Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU).
The recommendation is contained in the ministry’s first quarter performance report under proposed solutions to challenges facing the university. The report notes that redefining the relationship between Government and the Africa Continent Mission would provide a stronger framework for the institution’s future growth.
According to the report, revising the current MoA would help clarify the relationship between the parties and support the university’s long-term development agenda. The report further recommends that the university, the Africa Continent Mission and Government work closely together to redefine their partnership through an updated agreement.
The recommendation comes against the backdrop of several infrastructure challenges identified at the institution.
The report notes that, apart from the medical school, students at the university’s main campus do not have access to on-campus accommodation. It states that this presents a significant challenge, particularly for female students, as the surrounding neighbourhood is considered unsafe for studying and living.
With more than 1,000 students enrolled at the main campus, the report says the shortage of student residences continues to affect the university’s operations and student welfare.
Another challenge highlighted is the absence of sporting facilities for both students and employees, limiting opportunities for recreation and holistic development.
To address these challenges, the report recommends that the university, the Africa Continent Mission and other stakeholders collaborate in identifying donors who can support infrastructure expansion, including the construction of student residences.
Despite the challenges, the report outlines several achievements recorded by EMCU during the quarter.
Among them was institutional capacity-building aimed at strengthening academic quality, leadership accountability, student success and programme development. Staff members underwent training covering quality assurance systems, academic programme development, monitoring and evaluation, continuous improvement, and leadership oversight of academic quality.
According to the report, the training resulted in the development of faculty quality assurance diagnostic reports, programme development process maps, quality assurance checklists, quality improvement priorities, faculty action plans and a post-training evaluation report with recommendations for continuous institutional improvement.
The report also highlights a successful student admission process for the 2026/2027 academic year. More than 1,500 applications were received, with over 300 students admitted into various academic programmes.
In addition, the university hosted a delegation from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) Nursing Faculty from June 15 to 19, 2026, for a week-long review of EMCU’s nursing curriculum as part of efforts to strengthen the programme.
The report states that strengthening collaboration between Government and the Africa Continent Mission through a revised Memorandum of Agreement, alongside investment in infrastructure, would support the university’s continued growth and improve the learning environment for students.
The report is being debated in parliament today.
(Courtesy Pic)
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