'I got more than I bargained for'
Posted By
James MphandePosted on
5th Feb, 2025
On August 9, 2024, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC).
This agreement allowed MUST to occupy on lease and turn MPC premises at Chichiri near Blantyre Museum into the university's City Campus, thereby expanding its capacity to accommodate more students.
The partnership aimed to increase access to and enhance the quality of higher education in Malawi by providing students with modern facilities and resources.
As part of this initiative, MUST transferred students under the MUST-B cohort to the City Campus in January this year, marking the operationalisation of MUST’s City Campus.
Initially, some students, including Patience Chinkhunda, a third-year student studying Language, Communication and Culture, were doubtful about the move.
They had heard rumours about the campus being old and having inadequate structures.
However, upon arrival, Patience was surprised to discover that the campus exceeded her expectations.
"The campus is not that old, and its facilities are all good," she noted. "The hostels are comfortable, and one of the most exciting aspects is that we are close to town, with banks and other essential services nearby, making it easy to access important services."
The decision to relocate students to the City Campus was strategic, aimed at decongesting the Ndata campus in Thyolo and ensuring that students receive quality higher education.
It will also allow MUST to introduce weekend and evening classes, thereby giving opportunity to those tied up by work or businesses to enrol with this prestigious university and associate themselves with Malawi's warmest higher education brand.
By transferring students to multiple campuses, MUST aims to create an environment conducive to learning, innovation, and excellence.
This move is in line with MUST's mission to provide a pioneering, relevant and umunthucentric pedagogical experience in teaching and learning, research, innovation and entrepreneurship responsive to the evolving needs of the society, ultimately contributing to the development of Malawi and the global community.
According to City Campus Acting Assistant Registrar, Faston Misinde, the campus is self contained with hostels, library, clinic, cafeteria, bar and other amenities to enable both staff and students, making it a conducive environment for work and teaching and learning.
This agreement allowed MUST to occupy on lease and turn MPC premises at Chichiri near Blantyre Museum into the university's City Campus, thereby expanding its capacity to accommodate more students.
The partnership aimed to increase access to and enhance the quality of higher education in Malawi by providing students with modern facilities and resources.
As part of this initiative, MUST transferred students under the MUST-B cohort to the City Campus in January this year, marking the operationalisation of MUST’s City Campus.
Initially, some students, including Patience Chinkhunda, a third-year student studying Language, Communication and Culture, were doubtful about the move.
They had heard rumours about the campus being old and having inadequate structures.
However, upon arrival, Patience was surprised to discover that the campus exceeded her expectations.
"The campus is not that old, and its facilities are all good," she noted. "The hostels are comfortable, and one of the most exciting aspects is that we are close to town, with banks and other essential services nearby, making it easy to access important services."
The decision to relocate students to the City Campus was strategic, aimed at decongesting the Ndata campus in Thyolo and ensuring that students receive quality higher education.
It will also allow MUST to introduce weekend and evening classes, thereby giving opportunity to those tied up by work or businesses to enrol with this prestigious university and associate themselves with Malawi's warmest higher education brand.
By transferring students to multiple campuses, MUST aims to create an environment conducive to learning, innovation, and excellence.
This move is in line with MUST's mission to provide a pioneering, relevant and umunthucentric pedagogical experience in teaching and learning, research, innovation and entrepreneurship responsive to the evolving needs of the society, ultimately contributing to the development of Malawi and the global community.
According to City Campus Acting Assistant Registrar, Faston Misinde, the campus is self contained with hostels, library, clinic, cafeteria, bar and other amenities to enable both staff and students, making it a conducive environment for work and teaching and learning.