July 13.
I read with interest Chris Holme's report, ''Poor of Malawi paying for
Banda's generosity to Scots'' (July 11).
No doubt there are many facets to the relationship between the Scots
and Malawi and not all as negative as highlighted in the report.
This month saw the successful completion of a 10-year programme
designed to increase the number of qualified Malawian quantity
surveyors. The last Malawian student on Glasgow Polytechnic's BSc degree
course in quantity surveying has just successfully completed his course
and returned home to take up a post with the Ministry of Works in
Blantyre.
The programme started in 1982 when the government of Malawi decided to
exercise, through their own nationals, greater financial control of the
Malawi construction industry. For this to be possible more qualified
quantity surveyors were required. Since 1982 there has been a steady
stream of Malawi students coming to Glasgow Polytechnic to study for a
BSc degree in quantity surveying and, with only one exception, all have
been successful.
After graduation the students have either returned directly to Malawi
or, with their government's agreement, stayed on in Scotland to gain
further experience before returning home.
The programme has been organised by Glasgow Polytechnic, funded by
British Council, and supported by private practice firms of quantity
surveyors, building contractors, and the public sector.
The success of the programme has in the main been attributable to both
the calibre of the Malawian students and the close partnership that has
developed among Glasgow Polytechnic, British Council, and the firms
which have supported the programme by providing sandwich placements for
the students.
Thomas L. Inglis,
7 Menzies Avenue,
Fintry.
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