President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Friday expressed delight on how the Malawi University of Science and Technology has grown into a centre of academic excellence with capacity in modern research and innovation across many disciplines.
He was speaking at MUST, Thyolo campus when he presided over the graduation of students who received certificates, diplomas and degrees.
The graduation ceremony saw a diverse group of graduates, with 260 males and 150 females successfully completing their studies.
The graduates represent various fields, including Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Information Technology, Earth Science, Meteorology, Medical Microbiology, and many more.
President Chakwera expressed his pride in the institution’s achievements, referring to it as a game-changing and pacesetter university. He emphasized the importance of higher education for the country’s development and the achievement of Malawi’s Agenda 2063.
He acknowledged the efforts of the students, faculty, and staff in shaping the future of Malawi.
“As for you who are graduating today, given the educational privileges now at your disposal, it should go 10 without saying that your status as a graduate places in your path endless opportunities and on your shoulders great responsibilities. You have the opportunity and responsibility to embrace learning as a way of life,” he said.
Speaking at the function, Professor Address Malata, the Vice Chancellor of the University, thanked the President for gracing the occasion in his capacity as Chancellor and implored the graduates to continue working hard and to uphold the values of MUST, which include commitment, professionalism, entrepreneurship, and integrity.
Malata also assured the President that MUST has positioned itself as a solution-based institution focused on contributing to the thriving of the country. The university achieves this by offering courses that are relevant to Malawi’s challenges and the fulfilment of Agenda 2063.
The Malawi University of Science and Technology, established in 2012, has shown remarkable growth in enrolment and academic programs.
The university has expanded its offerings to include 25 undergraduate and 16 postgraduate programs, with plans to introduce more programs in the coming years. The recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted MUST to enhance its remote teaching capabilities, ensuring wider access to education through an expansive e-learning platform.
After the graduation ceremony, President Chakwera held a brief public meeting where he assured residents of Thyolo District that he will leave no one behind, as his administration strives to ensure that all Malawians from the length of breadth of the country are considered, in the aftermath of cyclone Freddy, irrespective of where they come from.