Final year Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices student at MUST, Ireen Navicha, has been selected to represent Malawi at this year's Miss World beauty pageant.

The 75th Miss World Festival will this year be held in Vietnam from August 9 to September 5, and Ireen will join contestants from across the world.

Speaking in an interview, Ireen, who emerged first princess in the Miss Malawi beauty pageant, expressed gratitude to the Miss Malawi organisers for trusting her to represent the country on the global stage and pledged to carry Malawi's flag with pride.

"My selection represents every girl whose education was interrupted by poverty, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, or difficult circumstances.

When you see me, don't just see a queen but thousands of girls rising. See second chances. See courage. See hope and see a Malawi that believes every girl deserves an education, a voice and freedom to choose her own future," she said.

With only 17 days to prepare before travelling to Vietnam, Ireen said she will step onto the Miss World stage carrying not only her own dreams but also the hopes and prayers of Malawians and aspirations of every girl who deserves an opportunity to succeed.

Ireen becomes Malawi's fifth representative at the Miss World pageant, where she will showcase the country's beauty, culture, resilience and commitment to creating opportunities for girls and young women.

As she prepares to represent Malawi on one of the world's biggest stages, the MUST community joins the nation in celebrating her remarkable achievement and wishes her every success as she carries the country's flag with pride in Vietnam.

Ireen is no stranger to international beauty pageant stages as she has previously contested at a similar level in South Africa as Miss Culture.