The CIIR is a third transition of a Government-led vision to promote research and technology development for economic growth. In 1990, the Malawi Industrial Research and Technology Development Centre (MIRTDC) was established under the Ministry of Trade and Industry through Trust Deed, 1991 and became operational in 1993. Following the merger between the Malawi University of Science and Technology and MIRTDC in 2014, the Centre was renamed Industrial Research Centre (IRC).

The Office of the Vice Chancellor, on behalf of Senate, approved the renaming of the IRC in July 2019 to become the Centre for Innovation and Industrial Research (CIIR), in line with its MUST’s Vision, Mission and aspirations towards the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy III (MGDSIII 2017-2023), African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Global Agenda 2030. Currently, CIIR is housed under the Directorate of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Outreach.

The CIIR is moulded on the understanding that advancing development for the individual, the community and the nation requires the systematic investment in innovation and innovativeness from the vast resources bank within MUST and beyond MUST’s borders. As such, the CIIR takes a keen interest in seeking, developing and advancing innovative ideas through relevant industrial research.