From night schoolto PhD holder and deputy dean at Mzuzu University

Few journeys capture the power of determination quite like Dr. Cecilia Ngwira, a woman who once sat her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations at a night secondary school. Today, she stands as a PhD holder and deputy dean at Mzuzu University (Mzuni).

Born in Chileka, Blantyre, but originally from Chilumba, Karonga District, her early education took her across several parts of Malawi. Ngwira began primary school at Kachanga in Chileka, Blantyre, before Chinkhuti in Lumbadzi and Ngara in Karonga. She eventually completed Standard three to eight classes at Katoto Local Education Authority (LEA) School in Mzuzu District experiences that shaped her determination to succeed.

After her secondary education at Enukweni Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), she initially trained and worked as a journalist with the Malawi News Agency (Mana). Still determined to pursue higher education, she re-sat the MSCE examination in 2006 at St. Augustine’s Secondary School, where she scored 18 points, earning a chance to enter university.

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At the time, study options for school leavers were limited. However, when Mzuzu University introduced the Bachelor of Science in Tourism programme, Ngwira took the opportunity and enrolled, a decision she never regrets. She excelled in her studies and graduated with a first class degree.

Just a month after graduating, she joined Mzuzu University in July 2011 as a staff associate, at the age of 28. The university would later support her further studies. In 2013, Ngwira secured a Chinese Government scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Hebei, with Mzuni granting her paid study leave.

In 2017, she obtained another scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with additional support from World Bank funding through Mzuni. Within just six years, Ngwira had progressed to PhD level.

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