Malanje: The province of Malanje will soon witness the establishment of a new campus for the Queen Njinga a Mbande University (URNM), designed to accommodate 10,000 students across six distinct faculties.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the foundation stone for this extensive project was laid by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Albano Ferreira. The campus, covering 37,000 square meters and costing over 172 million euros, will consist of six organic units, including Faculties of Law, Economics, Social Sciences and Humanities, Medical and Health Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Animal Science. Additionally, a Higher Polytechnic Institute will be part of the infrastructure.
The campus will feature not only classrooms and laboratories but also university residences with a capacity for approximately 700 students, providing accommodation for those coming from other regions. During the project handover ceremony, Minister Ferreira emphasized the campus's role in tackling challenges in a province with significant agricultural and economic potential. He regarded it as a cornerstone for diversifying the national economy and a historic milestone in Angola's public investment in higher education.
Minister Ferreira highlighted that the new campus, equipped with modern laboratories, libraries, residences, and technology centers, represents the state's commitment to expanding, modernizing, and improving access to higher education. The Queen Njinga a Mbande University currently supports around 3,700 students across 15 courses, and the new development will triple its capacity, enhancing educational opportunities in Malanje and surrounding provinces.
Vice-Governor Franco Mufinda expressed that the project fulfills a long-standing aspiration of the local population, reinforcing the region's historical and cultural significance. The Provincial Government assured its complete support to meet the project's contractual deadline.
Eduardo Ekundi Valentim, the dean of URNM, described the construction as a pivotal moment for the university, which has faced challenges due to a lack of infrastructure for many of its units. Valentim expressed confidence that the financial investment and strategic planning would lead to quality education and the development of highly skilled personnel, contributing to both provincial and national advancement. He also mentioned that the university plans to offer 30 courses, with curriculum development already underway.
