ESAMI Graduation November 2015
The Graduation Ceremony was held on the 21st of November 2015 at the East and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) Headquarters, Njiro Hill in Arusha, Tanzania. The ceremony commenced with the academic procession of Professors followed by the students. The graduation ceremony was attended by approximately 400 students covering all MBA programmes offered by ESAMI. Countries represented were Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Senegal, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Swaziland, Kenya and Namibia among others.
A total of 23 students graduated with the MBA Customs, 5 of those were fortunate enough to attend the ceremony, 2 from Zimbabwe (Julianah Munongi-Chikwanda and Chabveka Marekera), and 3 from Maputo Mozambique (Machicoa Maria Nhamitambo, Romano Isaias Manhique, Paulo Eugenio Nhantumbo). The remaining 18 students graduatein absentia.
Julianah Munongi-Chikwanda was presented with the MBA Meritorious Award for being the best performer in the MBA class for the academic year 2013/2015.
Romano Manhique from Mozambique received a Leadership Award for having been a good class representative for his intake.
Lucy Mudaheranwa was awarded (in absentia) best performer in her Intake.
The Guest of Honour was the Honourable Dr Michael Kaingu, MP who is the Minister of Higher Education in the Republic of Zambia. The key note address was titled: “Knowledge has got nothing to do with your title, nor your salary. Practise excellence.” He encouraged the graduating students to go and practise that which they have learnt and not to be overshadowed by the title.
Julianah Munongi-Chikwanda says: “I was privileged to be given the MBA Meritorious Award for being the best performer in the MBA class for the academic year 2013/2015. I have 9 ‘A’s and 8 ‘B’s for the whole programme with all the Customs Modules being ‘A’s. I owe it all to CCES, the lecturers, Stephen Muller and Brian Hurrell who were very patient with us. Not forgetting the support we got from Jayantha Amaresakara and all those behind the scenes! I do not hesitate to recommend anyone to do this course; it is very rich and worthy. I plan to take on the next level (either Doctorate- DBA or PhD). The approach to learning was very conducive, with online sessions, assignments and the feedback was received on a portal which was very good.“
The MBA in Customs Management is a course offered through collaboration with the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies (CCES) and ESAMI. The MBA in Customs Management includes the subjects of Customs Management Theory & Practice, Regulatory Compliance Management, International Customs Law and Customs Reform and Modernization.
Following completion of these subjects, students are then required to engage in a Customs Research Project. This year students were engaged in a wide range of topics in Customs & Border Management and presented their Research Projects at the ESAMI Centers in their respective countries; Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Former student of CCES, Ms Maggie Nangolo was on hand to represent the Centre at the graduation ceremony. She took the opportunity to meet with the students and exchange ideas and knowledge that she had gained during her studies in Australia.