The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) at MUST on May 8, 2026, held a professional inspiration session for its students and the university community. 

The event, which also attracted faculty and industry leaders, showcased diverse career pathways, innovative student exhibitions, and insightful discussions on the future of healthcare.

Addressing participants, AMS Executive Dean, Dr Mwayiwawo Madanitsa,  said the Career Day serves as an important bridge between academic learning and realities of the professional health sector.

Ms Ruth Khofi, a MUST alumnus and currently Research Assistant at Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Program, shared a candid presentation on transitioning into the workplace. 

She challenged students' perception that high grades alone are sufficient for success.

"I thought my grades mattered most and that I already had enough knowledge, but reality is different," Khofi noted.

She urged students to remain lifelong learners and shared practical strategies for success, including enhancing one's personal brand, being audacious, volunteering to gain hands-on experience, and creating a personal career trajectory.

Professor Patrick Kamalo, a Neurosurgeon and Director General of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, offered a transformative perspective on higher education, stating that a first degree is simply a springboard. 

"It doesn't define you. It is what you make of it," he said.

Prof Kamalo encouraged students to publish their undergraduate research and highlighted the importance of teamwork and multidisciplinary care, noting that students must bring value and ideas to the table to earn professional opportunities.

On his part, Shadrick Mathiya, another alumnus, spoke on the resilience required after university. 

He encouraged students to persevere through job application rejections, prepare rigorously for interviews, and collaborate with peers to create their own unique career paths.

The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring Prof Kamalo, Precious Pondeponde, Bernard Dzodzi and Dr Timothy Erickson. 

It tackled the timely topic of AI in the health sector with the experts discussing how AI is currently revolutionising diagnostics and patient care while addressing the "double-edged sword" of the technology, balancing its immense benefits with ethical concerns regarding job displacement and the continued importance of human-centred care.