By Alinafe Kapatamoyo and Charles Nkhoma

Lilongwe, November 19, Mana: The Malawi National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the implementation of Malawi’s 2063 Vision, particularly the First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1).

Speaking at the event in Lilongwe, Director General of NPC, Dr. Thomas Munthali, emphasised that the MIP-1 aims to elevate Malawi’s economic status and help the country achieve most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

 He highlighted the importance of national collaboration in driving industrialization, which is a core objective of the plan.

 “This MoU will facilitate the effective implementation of the plan, as MUST has the necessary infrastructure and human resources to support its success,” Dr. Munthali stated.

He further stressed the need for Malawi to focus on exporting finished products rather than just raw materials, to boost the country’s economic growth.

In her remarks, Vice Chancellor of MUST, Prof. Address Malata, noted that the university’s role extends beyond producing graduates; it also aims to drive innovation and contribute to the country’s transformation.

“We must utilise the talents of our graduates to transform Malawi in key areas such as industrialization, innovation, and technology,” said Malata.

 She further added that MUST have introduced new manufacturing engineering programs to support the goals of the 10-Year Implementation Plan.

The Malawian government is committed to positioning the country as a leading producer by 2030, and this partnership with MUST is seen as a vital step in achieving that vision.