MUST on July 23, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Othakarhaka Foundation to strengthen collaboration in education, research, innovation and community development. 

The partnership will focus on promoting digital skills, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and sustainable development in Mulanje, Thyolo and surrounding communities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Othakarhaka Foundation Executive Director Ida Puliwa said they operates in Thyolo and Mulanje and have so far supported about 3,000 students with education assistance and continue to improve lives through their health, sustainable agriculture and community livelihood programs.

Outgoing MUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Address Malata, described the partnership as a valuable opportunity that will benefit both the university and its students. 

She emphasized the importance of partnerships in transforming lives, adding that every student deserves support and that the greatest achievement is seeing students make a positive difference in society.

Incoming Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Mwapasa Mipando, welcomed the collaboration and pledged MUST's commitment to ensuring the partnership achieves its intended goals.

Othakarhaka Foundation Board Chairperson Ted London commended the Foundation for the impact it continues to make in the districts where it operates and expressed confidence that the partnership with MUST will further expand that impact.

Under the five-year agreement, MUST and Othakarhaka Foundation will jointly implement programs in education and skills development, research and innovation, student internships and mentorship, community outreach, sustainable agriculture, health initiatives, digital transformation, and empowerment of girls, women and other marginalized groups. 

The partnership will also support joint fundraising, technology-driven community solutions and establishment of innovation hubs to address local challenges.

The partnership reflects MUST's continued commitment to building strategic collaborations that enhance teaching, research and innovation while contributing to national development and improving the well-being of communities across Malawi.