MUST Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Mwapatsa Mipando, on August 31, 2026 challenged newly selected postgraduate students to use their knowledge and skills to drive national development.

He was speaking at MUST City Campus in Blantyre when he officially opened a weeklong orientation session for the students where he also welcomed the more than 300 students admitted to Master’s and PhD programmes for the 2026/27 academic year.

“Welcome to the MUST family. You are here not just to get a degree, but also to contribute to the growth of knowledge that will be used to transform our communities. This demands that you focus on relevant research outputs that respond to gaps in national development," said Dr Mipando..

“Malawi needs your talent, vision and creativity to drive the national agenda."

On academic excellence and integrity, Dr Mipando urged the students to uphold research ethics and avoid plagiarism and shortcuts.

“Let your work be guided by integrity. The credibility of this institution rests on you,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor also encouraged the students to work closely with their supervisors, industry partners and fellow students, noting that postgraduate studies can be demanding, but collaboration and resilience can make the academic journey easier.

On his part, Postgraduate Coordinator, Dr Jabulani Nyengere, took the students through registration, supervision guidelines and funding opportunities.

He said MUST was committed to ensuring that students complete their studies within the stipulated period.

The postgraduate orientation program will, among others, cover key areas such as registration, mental health, research ethics, use of artificial intelligence in academic work, and information literacy.