I am deeply and truly honoured and humbled to stand before you today during this important milestone in your lives and in the history of this great institution, the 25th Graduation Ceremony at the Catholic University of Malawi. I am sincerely grateful to the Catholic Bishops, the University Council, and the Management of the Catholic University of Malawi for inviting me to serve as Commencement Speaker during this prestigious Graduation Ceremony.
Allow me to start by honoring you Graduands, by offering you my heartfelt congratulations. Today we all pause to celebrate your perseverance, sacrifice, resilience, discipline, faith and hard work. As we celebrate you, we are acutely aware that behind every gown here today is a story of determination. Some of you faced financial difficulties. Some of you endured moments of uncertainty and self-doubt. Some balanced work, studies, and family responsibilities. Some nearly gave up along the way. Yet today, through your hard work and by the grace of God, you stand victorious.
Allow me to also honor and recognise your parents, spouses, guardians, sponsors, Lecturers, and all those who supported you throughout your academic journey. Many sacrificed their resources and comfort to ensure that you reach this important day. Therefore, today's achievement belongs not only to you, but also to everyone who believed in your dreams even when the road was difficult.
Launch into the Deep
Distinguished Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen, this year's Graduation theme, "Put Out Into the Deep," inspired by Luke Chapter 5, is profoundly relevant to the realities of our time. In the Gospel account, Jesus instructs Simon Peter to move away from the shallow waters and launch into the deep. It was an instruction that demanded courage, faith, trust, and willingness to leave doubt and comfort behind. The shallow waters represented familiarity and safety, but the deep represented possibility, abundance and transformation.
We live in a generation that increasingly celebrates speed over substance, visibility over depth, likes over character and noise over wisdom. Pope Francis, in his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si' of May 2015, warned about what he described as "rapidification" — the accelerated pace of modern life that leaves little room for reflection, depth, and genuine human connection. I call it the microwave generation — everything must happen at record speed with minimum or zero effort.
Information is consumed rapidly and recycled endlessly without critical and deep reflection. Social media trends often shape thinking more than careful study and deep engagement with ideas. Society is becoming impatient with depth.
Even in academic and professional spaces, there is increasing temptation and indeed tendencies toward rapidification. Plagiarism and the irresponsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tell the story well. Information is consumed rapidly and recycled endlessly without critical and deep reflection. Social media trends often shape thinking more than careful study and deep engagement with ideas. Society is becoming impatient with depth. A stark illustration of this is the degeneration of a reading culture, even among the supposedly enlightened and educated. Most of us would rather scroll aimlessly and endlessly over content, other than bury ourselves in a book.
The Fruits of Depth
And yet, depth matters. Depth in thought produces wisdom. Depth in character produces integrity. Depth in faith produces resilience. Depth in leadership produces trust. Depth in the citizenry produces strong nations.
When societies lose depth, they begin to decline morally and intellectually. We begin to see shallow politics built on slogans instead of constructive ideas. Shallow messages from the pulpit. We begin to see professionals without ethics, leadership without vision, and citizens more concerned with appearances than responsibilities. This is why the call to "put out into the deep" is timely. It is not merely a spiritual invitation. It is also an intellectual, moral and professional challenge. It is critical to the survival of us as a people and as a Nation.
Distinguished Graduands, as you leave this University today, I urge you NOT to become shallow professionals. I strongly urge you to be deep thinkers. Be ethical leaders. Be reflective citizens. Be change makers, responsible change makers.
Tested Like Gold in a Furnace
The world you are entering will definitely test you in many ways. It will test not only your intelligence, but also your values, discipline, patience and integrity. As someone who has worked within the legal and public governance environment, I have learned that professional depth is not merely about academic qualifications or intellectual brilliance. It is also about emotional intelligence, ethical consistency, and the ability to stand for what is right, even when doing so is uncomfortable or unpopular.
There will be moments in your professional lives when your degree alone will not protect you. There will be moments when titles and positions will not save you.
There will be moments in your professional lives when your degree alone will not protect you. There will be moments when titles and positions will not save you. In a world where corruption appears normal and organized, the real test becomes whether you can remain principled and refuse to take any bribe, notwithstanding the status of your bank account or the needs lining up for your attention. The real test becomes whether you can remain truthful when dishonesty seems profitable, and whether you can preserve your humanity in environments that often reward selfishness and shortcuts.
One of the painful realities confronting our society today is the normalisation of corruption and unethical conduct. There is no university in Malawi or in the world that teaches corruption. There is no faculty that offers a degree in plundering public resources — cashgating. There is no degree in creative accounting. Yet when we observe some of the scandals that affect our institutions, we are forced to ask difficult questions. How do educated people become comfortable stealing resources meant for hospitals, vaccines, schools, and vulnerable citizens? How do intelligent individuals become prisoners of greed?
These realities remind us that education without ethics is dangerous. The purpose of education is not merely to produce employable people. It is to produce responsible human beings capable of serving society with integrity and compassion. As Patriarch Bartholomew teaches us, the solutions to the problems we are facing as a nation lie in change of humanity. We need to replace consumption with sacrifice and greed with generosity.
Professional Integrity
Today, therefore, I urge you to guard your character. Protect your name. Protect your conscience. Your certificate may open doors, but your character will determine whether you remain trusted once those doors open. Allow me to share an inspiring story of someone who was offered a bribe of $300,000. It was left in his room. He refused to take it. I wonder how many of us here would stand on principle and refuse such an amount? This is Mr. Jimmy Lipunga. He has since gone on to become one of the highly accomplished sons of our soil.
As graduates of the Catholic University of Malawi, you now become ambassadors of this institution. Society will judge this University through your conduct. Your actions will either strengthen or damage the reputation of your Alma Mater. Like Mr. Lipunga, purpose to live a life of integrity and do what is right.
You are the salt of the earth. Salt preserves. Salt influences. Salt adds value. Your presence in society should make institutions better, workplaces more honest, leadership more accountable, and communities full of hope.
The Bible tells us that we are the salt of the earth. Salt preserves. Salt influences. Salt adds value. This means your presence in society should make institutions better. Your presence in workplaces should inspire professionalism and honesty. Your presence in leadership should strengthen accountability and justice. Your presence in communities should bring hope and solutions.
Face Uncertainty with Hope and Resilience
As you prepare to enter the real world, it is important to understand that life has no fixed formula. Many young people graduate expecting life to move in a straight line. They expect immediate success, predictable progress, and clear outcomes. But life rarely unfolds that way.
Some of you will find employment quickly. Others may wait longer. Some will begin with opportunities that seem small or unrelated to their qualifications. Some may start businesses. Others may change careers entirely. Some may experience failure before success arrives.
This uncertainty should not discourage you. The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 9:11 that "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to them all." This scripture teaches humility and patience. It reminds us that life is not always predictable.
Success in life depends on more than intelligence. It requires humility, discipline, hard work, ethics and integrity, emotional maturity, timing, faith, and perseverance.
This is why you must never look down upon others. Respect people regardless of their position or background. Do not become bitter when others advance ahead of you. Life allows overtaking. Complaining about those moving forward does not stop their progress. You must continue moving with determination and purpose as you cast to the deep.
To those who pursued programmes society often describes as less marketable or less prestigious, I want to encourage you strongly today. Do not allow society to define your worth or potential. The world has no guaranteed formula for success. We have seen people from the so called modest professions rise to extraordinary levels of achievement because they became excellent at what they do. What matters is not merely the title of your degree, but the depth of your commitment to excellence.
Embrace Continuous Learning
I therefore urge you to be the best at what you do. Continue learning. Continue improving. Explore opportunities beyond your comfort zone. The professional world is constantly changing. New industries are emerging while others are disappearing. Technology continues to transform workplaces globally. Continuous learning is no longer optional. It is necessary. Some positions today require postgraduate qualifications and specialised skills. As Scripture exalts us in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved." Graduation should therefore not mark the end of your learning journey. It should mark the beginning of lifelong intellectual growth.
Hold on to Faith
Graduands, there will also be moments in life when you feel discouraged. Some of you will struggle to find employment immediately after graduation. Some will face rejection repeatedly. Some may feel forgotten despite their qualifications. During such moments, do not lose faith. Sometimes delays are not denials. Sometimes God uses waiting seasons to prepare us emotionally, spiritually, and professionally for greater responsibilities ahead. Continue believing in yourselves. Continue praying. Continue working hard even when results appear delayed.
Your background does not determine your future. Your village does not limit your destiny. Your lack of connections does not cancel your potential. Your biggest connection is God.
To those coming from less privileged families, I especially want you to remember this: your background does not determine your future. Your village does not limit your destiny. Your lack of connections does not cancel your potential. Some of the greatest people in history emerged from humble beginnings. You can become anything you desire through discipline, perseverance, faith, and hard work. Your biggest connection is God. When God opens doors, no human being can permanently close them.
Grow Your Personal Value
When you eventually secure employment, remember that your work attitude matters enormously. Do not become lazy workers. Do not work hard only when supervisors are present. The Bible teaches us in Colossians 3:23-24 that "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Excellence should become your personal standard.
Employers value dependable people. They value employees who solve problems, respect time, and take initiative. Sometimes promotions are given not to the most academically brilliant individuals, but to those who consistently demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and integrity.
The Blotch of Graduate Unemployment
As I conclude, distinguished Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen, as a society, we must honestly confront the challenge of graduate unemployment. While entrepreneurship is important and should be encouraged, it should not become a convenient response to every unemployed graduate. A young person who has spent years studying and preparing for a profession deserves meaningful opportunities to enter the world of work. Too often, people who have spent decades in stable employment casually advise graduates to "just go into business," despite not being entrepreneurs themselves. As a country, we must create pathways for graduates through internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, and fair recruitment systems. Entrepreneurship should be by choice, not a consolation prize. At the same time, Graduands must remain adaptable, hardworking, and open to different pathways toward success and service.
Conclusion
Depth requires courage. Shallow waters are comfortable, but greatness is rarely found in comfort. The deep demands faith, discipline, sacrifice and resilience. It is in the deep where purpose is discovered, where transformation happens, and where miracles occur.
And finally, remember this: depth requires courage. Shallow waters are comfortable, but greatness is rarely found in comfort. The deep demands faith, discipline, sacrifice and resilience. It is in the deep where purpose is discovered, where transformation happens, and where miracles occur. As you graduate today, I urge you to put out into the deep. Reject rapidification. Reject corruption. Reject hopelessness. Be thoughtful professionals, ethical leaders, responsible citizens, and faithful servants of God and country.
Congratulations once again to all the Graduands. May God bless you abundantly. May God bless the Catholic University of Malawi. And may God bless our beloved nation, Malawi. Thank you very much.
