By Peggy Mphonda, LCC3

 

Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc on April 12, 2024 handed over a K250 million cheque to the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) as part of its sponsorship towards the university’s Endowment Fund.

 

The amount, presented by Human Resources Director for Illovo Sugar Malawi, Khumbo Ntambo Banda, brings to K400 million as the company’s total contribution to the Fund.

 

And with the MUST Endowment Fund currently hitting K4 billion, and with support for needy students due to start around July this year, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Address Malata, has challenged that anyone who knows a female student who was selected to MUST but either withdrew or could not report for classes due to fees challenges, should be told to contact the university for support.

 

“We now have money to support all such students. If you know them, tell them to contact us and they will be allowed to come back to campus to continue with their studies,” she said.

 

She also said it is the university’s intention to ensure that no student fails to finish their studies due to fees challenges, saying this is the whole reason it launched the Endowment Fund.

 

Before the cheque presentation, female staff members from Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc held a Women Leadership Career Talk with MUST female students drawn from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related programmes.

 

During that event, Ntambo Banda and team shared their life stories with the students while encouraging them to work hard and take their challenges as a stepping stone to success.

 

The Illovo team also included former MUST students who shared their experiences while at MUST and how that has shaped their professional life.

 

The career guidance talk was aimed at empowering the students with life skills necessary for excelling in academic life. It also sought to inspire them through motivational talks and presentations that instill confidence, determination and purpose.

One of the motivational speakers from Illovo, Chisomo Mukoka, a former MUST student, highlighted the significance of accountability in one’s academic journey.

"Holding yourself responsible for your actions in school, your tests and assignment grades, and your preps is a guide towards success," she said.

All the participating students were dressed in branded t-shirts and caps by Illovo.

MUST and Illovo have a long standing partnership that has seen Illovo supporting the university in a number of areas like hosting students and staff on industrial attachments and supporting other university initiatives.

In return, MUST is ready to offer Illovo expertise to make its manufacturing processes more efficient, and research.