“Mayor of Beira praises academic merit at UCM-Beira with a prize of 50 thousand meticais”

Paulo Vilanculo"

On September 5, 2025, the Catholic University of Mozambique, Beira branch, witnessed another academic milestone with the graduation ceremony for its finalists. The event, laden with symbolism and achievement, stood out not only for celebrating the efforts of the recent graduates but also for recognizing and valuing their academic merit. On this occasion, the Mayor of Beira marked the culmination of the ceremony, honoring the event with a highly symbolic gesture by awarding a 50,000.00 meticais bonus trophy to student Amena, who completed the course with a final average of 18, making her the top student in this graduation. This gesture drew applause from all present and was marked as the highlight of the ceremony.

The mayor's gesture demonstrates sensitivity and vision, placing youth and knowledge at the center of the city's development. It is an act that not only honors the award-winning student but also honors the entire academic community and strengthens the relationship between local government and educational institutions. For the mayor, this gesture is an example of institutional solidarity; it also reveals the close relationship between local government and educational institutions, demonstrating that the development of qualified professionals should be a shared priority among different spheres of society. By awarding the best student, the municipal leadership sends a clear message of effort and appeals to young people to see education as the true key to the future.

The award inspires future graduates as a sign that merit can be rewarded, encouraging current and future students to pursue excellence. The Mayor's contribution is not limited to a material gift. It represents a recognition of meritocracy. The initiative symbolizes not only the appreciation of student excellence but also the need to encourage young people to persevere in their studies. In a country where social and economic challenges often jeopardize the academic future of young people. In a context where many young people feel unmotivated, the public recognition of academic excellence serves as an incentive for all students, demonstrating that effort and dedication have a social return.

Visibly moved, the laureate expressed her gratitude for the gesture and emphasized that the award represents an encouragement for her and other young women who believe in the transformative power of education. She also emphasized that the bonus provides additional motivation for her to continue dreaming bigger, setting an example for all women struggling to gain a foothold in universities and the job market. The act takes on even greater significance within the context of women's emancipation, highlighting the importance of women's roles in academia and in building a more just and inclusive society. By awarding a young student, the gesture conveys a clear message of inclusion and gender equality, promoting women's empowerment. This is a direct contribution to the fight against cultural and social barriers that still hinder women's access to and retention in higher education.

The Catholic University of Mozambique (UCM-Beira) has established itself as one of the greatest pillars of academic and social development in the central region of the country. In addition to training qualified professionals in various fields of knowledge, the institution plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion, empowering women, reducing regional inequalities, and strengthening community identity. Through its educational mission and community outreach projects, the UCM not only boosts the local economy but also contributes to building a more just, critical society, prepared for Mozambique's contemporary challenges. Since its founding, the Catholic University of Mozambique (UCM) has established itself as one of the most important higher education institutions for the central region of the country. More than training professionals, the UCM develops conscious, critical citizens committed to the development of their communities.

The university isn't limited to the classroom. Various outreach initiatives, applied research projects, and community partnerships have reinforced UCM's impact in combating social issues such as poverty, public health, nutrition, and basic education. UCM has produced professionals in various fields, including Law, Economics, Health, Education, Social Sciences, Management, and Administration. These professionals are absorbed by the job market and perform crucial roles in public and private institutions, as well as civil society organizations. The university's contribution is notable in several ways, as UCM has become a true pillar of hope for the central region, especially after periods of political instability and natural disasters. By keeping its mission of education alive, the university offers new generations a horizon of stability and opportunity.

Thus, with this graduation, UCM-Beira reaffirms its commitment to training quality professionals, while the Mayor's gesture is projected as a contribution that goes beyond mere symbolism: it is an investment in the city's human capital, an incentive for youth, and a firm step towards a more just, inclusive, and merit-based society. The UCM-Beira ceremony, crowned by this noble gesture, will be remembered as a moment of exaltation for youth and confidence in the future of Beira and Mozambique. The Mayor's gesture reinforces the idea that investing in academic merit is investing in the future of the city itself.

2025/12/3