By Mtisunge Nampapi and Ellen Mankhambera

Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Francis Folley, MP, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction projects at MUST.

Folley said the developments demonstrate Government’s commitment to expanding infrastructure in public universities and providing fit-for-purpose learning spaces, offices and other facilities. 

He said higher education institutions such as MUST are critical to national development because they help develop human capital, promote innovation and create skills needed in a changing global environment. 

The Deputy Minister said the developments at MUST are in line with the Malawi 2063 aspirations, which seeks to transform Malawi into an inclusively wealthy, self-reliant, industrialised and upper-middle-income country. 

"Such transformation requires vibrant higher education institutions that develop the country’s human capital and promote the right mindset for development," he said. 

MUST Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Mwapatsa Mipando, welcomed the ministerial visit and shared the university’s vision of becoming a world-class centre for science, technology and entrepreneurship. 

Dr Mipando also presented the university’s strategic plan and thanked Government for its continued support towards MUST's development.

During the visit, Folley toured two flagship construction projects. 

The first was the World Bank funded Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) Project, which is constructing a lecture theatre complex. 

It will house three lecture theatres with a combined seating capacity of around 600 seating capacity, as well as offices and spaces for small-group discussions. 

The second was a purpose-built laboratory complex funded by the Malawi Government through the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

Professor Mipando saidd the new laboratory complex will provide students with facilities to conduct practical work on campus, reducing their reliance on industrial placements for practical training. 

A music studio is also under construction at the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage to support preservation of Malawian music while providing students with hands-on training.

Government has already disbursed about K9 billion towards the projects. 

The lab complex is currently at 55 percent completion and works, which had stopped due to funding and other contractual issues, will resume soon.

For the lecture theatres , work is at  85 percent completion Folley reminded the contractor that works have to be completed by October 1, 2026 in line with World Bank and Malawi Government agreement.

He said it was surprising that works have delayed despite the project having funds foe its completion.

During the visit, the team also assessed completed and outstanding construction activities, challenges affecting the projects and measures being taken by MUST management to meet the set deadlines without compromising quality and environmental and social safeguard standards.