Newly appointed Minister of Higher Education, Honourable Dr Jessie Kabwila on January 23, 2025 visited the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) where she encouraged staff and students to go beyond laboratory experiments and try out their innovations in the fields so that they can benefit Malawians.

Among others, Dr Kabwila visited MUST’s Technology and Innovation Garage, African Drone and data Academy, Design Studio, University Hospital, and construction site for a purpose-built laboratory complex.

“As Malawians we have come up with several innovations but we take time trying to perfect them in laboratories. We need to change and make sure they go out there so that people can try them and we can be perfecting them based on the people’s experiences,” she advised, while reiterating her commitment to source funds for universities to synergise their technology and innovation efforts.

She thanked MUST for living up to its mandate of driving science, technology, innovation and industrialisation, saying as long as a project is viable, she will be ready to carry and market it for potential funding.

On his part, MUST Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Wilson Mandala welcomed the creation of the new ministry that focuses on higher education.

“The higher education sector has its own unique opportunities and challenges and with this development we believe we will be getting more attention to exploit and address these issues,” he said while congratulating Dr Kabwila for assuming the ministerial position.

He also hailed the prospect of having the Higher Education Bill going to Parliament soon for passing, saying the bill and the splitting of the ministry into two demonstrates government’s commitment to the sector.

Secretary for Education, Dr Mangani Katundu, hailed the minister for taking her time to visit higher education institutions to appreciate what they are going through and see how best she can work with them.

Dr Kabwila was appointed minister on January 1, 2025 and she has been visiting higher education institutions since yesterday. She started her engagements at Domasi College of Education, University of Malawi, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences before the visit to MUST, Catholic University of Malawi and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.