MUST Cultural and Research Innovation Festival starts on a high
Posted By
James MphandePosted on
11th Sep, 2026
MUST on September 10, 2026 officially opened its annual Cultural and Research Innovation Festival at its Thyolo Campus, bringing together science, technology, arts, culture and heritage to promote sustainable innovation and development.
The three-day festival is being held under the theme “Integrating Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Heritage for Sustainable Innovation and Development in the Global South.”
It provides a platform for MUST and partners to showcase research, innovations and cultural heritage and how knowledge can be transformed into practical solutions.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, guest of honour and FDH Bank Deputy Managing Director, George Chitera, challenged Malawians to focus on finding solutions rather than glorifying problems.
He also praised MUST students for their innovative ideas and called for greater support for young innovators.
Ndata School of Climate and Earth Scinces executive dean, Associate Professor Chikondi Chisenga, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, said the festival showcases what MUST and its people are capable of achieving, while giving the public an opportunity to appreciate the university’s achievements.
He also thanked National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Norad and TAGDev 2.0 program for supporting the festival, as well as student innovators for their contributions.
NCST representative, Esau Chisale, commended MUST for integrating science, technology, arts, culture and heritage.
"Research should not only focus on STEM fields, as culture and heritage can also contribute to research and innovation," he said.
Organising committee member and Bingu School of Culture and Heritage executive dean, Dr Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi, emphasized the importance of connecting science and technology with culture and heritage.
She said innovation must understand the people it is intended to benefit and called for stronger collaboration between universities, industries and communities.
Associate Professor Gama Bandawe, Coordinator of the Centre for Clinical and Biological Research at MUST, gave a keynote address focusing on the role of culture and heritage in laboratory and biotechnology research.
The festival continues with research dissemination sessions today before going full throttle cutural and artsitic this evening with a student summit and music shows.
Tomorrow, the final day, is dedicated for arts and traditional dances.
The three-day festival is being held under the theme “Integrating Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Heritage for Sustainable Innovation and Development in the Global South.”
It provides a platform for MUST and partners to showcase research, innovations and cultural heritage and how knowledge can be transformed into practical solutions.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, guest of honour and FDH Bank Deputy Managing Director, George Chitera, challenged Malawians to focus on finding solutions rather than glorifying problems.
He also praised MUST students for their innovative ideas and called for greater support for young innovators.
Ndata School of Climate and Earth Scinces executive dean, Associate Professor Chikondi Chisenga, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, said the festival showcases what MUST and its people are capable of achieving, while giving the public an opportunity to appreciate the university’s achievements.
He also thanked National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Norad and TAGDev 2.0 program for supporting the festival, as well as student innovators for their contributions.
NCST representative, Esau Chisale, commended MUST for integrating science, technology, arts, culture and heritage.
"Research should not only focus on STEM fields, as culture and heritage can also contribute to research and innovation," he said.
Organising committee member and Bingu School of Culture and Heritage executive dean, Dr Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi, emphasized the importance of connecting science and technology with culture and heritage.
She said innovation must understand the people it is intended to benefit and called for stronger collaboration between universities, industries and communities.
Associate Professor Gama Bandawe, Coordinator of the Centre for Clinical and Biological Research at MUST, gave a keynote address focusing on the role of culture and heritage in laboratory and biotechnology research.
The festival continues with research dissemination sessions today before going full throttle cutural and artsitic this evening with a student summit and music shows.
Tomorrow, the final day, is dedicated for arts and traditional dances.
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