E50m injected to Medical University

MBABANE –  As means of Ensuring that the first ever Swaziland Christian Medical University (SCMU) was ready to operate at ease, about E50 million has been invested.

SCMU Public Relations Officer (PRO) Philemon Mgabhi said this amount included funds used to construct the administration block, six lecture rooms, a library, a boardroom and offices. “As means to ensure that the university is a world class tertiary institution that will produce internationally competitive graduates, about E50 million has been invested to date. We are still constructing more offices and laboratories at the institution which means the money invested increases every day,” Mgabhi said.

The PRO explained that some of the funds had been used to purchase machinery and landscaping.  
Mgabhi also lauded government of Swaziland for embracing the project by granting permission for the university to operate in the country.
He said 346 students admitted to the university had already resumed their lessons as from Monday.            

                        
SCMU was shut down on March 13, 2013 subsequent to an order from government to halt operations because there was no letter of accreditation. The accreditation letter was meant to provide credibility to the academic certificates students would obtain upon completion of their medical studies. A letter written by government on the closure of the institution stated that the main issue pertained to the accreditation of the university, which had not been received from their potential accreditors.

SCMUthen  received accreditation from the Medical University of Pretoria, Medical University of Limpopo and the San Medical Centre among others, the minister said. 
The university was officially listed as a Category A Parastatal through the Public Enterprises (Amendment of Schedule) Notice of 2013 issued by Minister of Finance Majozi Sithole on May 20, 2013.
Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary (PS) Pat Muir said the registration of the university as a parastatal effectively meant the institution was entitled to receive a government subvention, subject to the availability of funds.

The medical university hired 20 highly qualified lecturers to ensure that it produced world class medical students. Some of the lecturers include Professor Glory Nam who holds a PhD from the University of Washington and Dr. Dan Ncayiya from the Republic of South Africa.
Dr. Ncayiya has previously held a senior position at the University of Cape Town.

He is also revered for being a forerunner in the establishment of various medical institutions in Polokwane, Limpopo and the Ghana Medical University.

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