MUST Inaugurates First Chancellor
The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) on December 8, 2016 inaugurated His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, as its first Chancellor.
The colourful inauguration ceremony was held on MUST campus, Thyolo and attracted academics from public and private institutions of higher learning, officials from government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), diplomatic corps, politicians, religious leaders, students and the general public.
The ceremony is in line with the MUST Act which stipulates that the institution shall be headed by a Chancellor and that the Chancellor shall be the head of state unless he declines.
In his speech, the MUST Chancellor reiterated his government’s wish to see universities autonomous and asked the Council and executive management to ensure that they manage the institution with professionalism.
He also promised his government’s continued support to the higher education sector.
In her oration of the new Chancellor, MUST Vice Chancellor Professor Address Malata described President Mutharika as academician of international repute, a legal scholar and practitioner, an educator and a leader.
The President’s rich resume attracted cheers from the audience who admired his achievements.
Council chairperson Dr Andrew Daudi promised the new Chancellor that his team together with executive management will ensure that MUST is run in line with good corporate governance principles. He also outlined some of the many achievements by the university in the three years it has been in existence.
The achievements were in the areas of research, staff recruitment and training, increased student numbers, introduction of new academic programmes and establishment of a number of systems and structures for smooth running of operations.