‘Your degree gives you knowledge – innovation is what you do with it’: Minister challenges 746 MUST graduates to become job creators, not job seekers
Education Minister Bright Msaka has told graduating students at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) to go beyond simple resilience and become genuine innovators, capable of solving real-world problems facing the country.
Msaka delivered the challenge as guest of honour at MUST’s 7th Congregation ceremony in Thyolo on 6 August, held under the theme ‘Innovation for Resilience: Science and Technology for an Industrialised Malawi.’
The star-studded event drew dignitaries from across both the public and private sectors, including representatives from the Chinese Embassy, university staff, and proud parents and guardians, as a total of 746 students graduated with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications – including, remarkably, the university’s first ever two PhD graduates.
Addressing the packed ceremony, Msaka told graduates that true impact comes not from qualifications alone, but from applying knowledge and skills to genuinely solve real-world problems.
‘Your degree gives you knowledge; innovation is what you do with it,’ he said.
The minister urged the graduating cohort to become innovative entrepreneurs capable of transforming their own communities, challenging them to become job creators rather than simply job seekers waiting for opportunities to come to them.
‘The future is something we build, rather than something we enter,’ Msaka told the graduates.
The ceremony also marked an emotional farewell for outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Address Malata, whom Msaka praised for a decade of transformative leadership at the helm of the institution, crediting her with expanding academic programmes, forging strategic partnerships, driving research output, and developing robust campus infrastructure during her tenure.
‘You built the foundation, expanded access, and raised the flag of this university high,’ Msaka said. ‘On behalf of the government, we say thank you for your service to higher education and to the nation.’
The minister also welcomed incoming Vice-Chancellor Designate, Associate Professor Mwapatsa Mipando, warning him that he was taking the reins at a pivotal moment, with government expecting MUST to lead the nation in academic quality, relevance and impact.
‘We will support you, but we will also hold this institution accountable for results,’ Msaka said. ‘We charge you to expand research that solves Malawi’s problems, strengthen industry partnerships, and ensure no qualified student is left behind.’
In her own address, an emotional Malata thanked government, the university council, staff, students and her family for their unwavering confidence in her throughout her decade-long tenure.
MUST Council Chairperson Noel Mkulichi hailed the minister’s presence at the ceremony as symbolic of three significant milestones for the institution: honouring the graduates’ achievements, formally transferring institutional leadership, and celebrating the university’s first-ever PhD graduates.
‘We thank the government for its commitment to education,’ Mkulichi said. ‘As a Council, we remain committed to providing strategic direction and ensuring accountability so that public resources deliver tangible results for both our students and Malawi.’
Mkulichi closed proceedings with a rousing message to the graduating class, urging them to carry the university’s values forward into their careers.
‘Congratulations to all of our graduates,’ he said. ‘The world needs your abilities, so please carry forward this university’s core values of integrity, resilience, innovation, and, most importantly, being umunthu-centric. You are the transformation we have been preparing.’
