Building an AI-ready university in Malawi

Prof. Address Malata
Vice Chancellor
Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)

From AI literacy to low-cost tablet assembly and industry partnerships, Malawi University of Science and Technology is using technology to tackle practical challenges and expand opportunity.

Gavin Allen: How is MUST embedding AI and increased computing capabilities?

Prof. Address Malata: Our mandate is to spearhead science, technology, innovation, and enterprise, because the shrinking job market requires students to have entrepreneurial skills. We have an ICT department and a Center for AI, and all students, regardless of program, take courses in innovation, entrepreneurship, and computing from year one.

When Covid-19 hit, our students already had the skills for online learning. Then AI came: boom, another shift. Instead of pushing back, we embraced it, so every student now receives AI training. Many faculty members were initially afraid because not all had ICT backgrounds, so we introduced intensive short-course training to bring them up to date.

We must use AI responsibly, with integrity, trust, and ethics. In Malawi, we talk about ubuntu — “I am because you are.” Students and staff must use accepted tools responsibly and avoid abusing the system. That conversation must extend beyond universities into the wider community.

Gavin Allen: What role should universities play in driving that wider conversation?

Prof. Address Malata: Universities have an opportunity to shine. I recently presented a paper to lawyers and judges on AI and the law because we’ve already seen cases where AI has been misused in legal work. Universities must help people understand both the opportunities and risks of AI, while building knowledge capacity across society.

That means working with government, industry, schools, and communities. Parliament needs to understand AI because laws around data and information protection will become increasingly important. It also means helping teachers, students, banks, insurance companies, and other sectors understand what AI means for them. Universities cannot stay silent.

Gavin Allen: And are all sectors receptive to that?

Prof. Address Malata:The private sector is often more receptive because companies want to keep pace with change. The public sector tends to move more cautiously. That’s why universities must be proactive in spreading awareness and helping communities adapt.

Gavin Allen: How important is it to have your graduates job-ready?

Prof. Address Malata: Very important. AI skills are now crucial for the job market, but more broadly, students must be able to solve problems. We call our strategy Solution 2030.

By then, people should be able to say it was worthwhile creating our university.

Our students and faculty focus on real-world, low-cost, user-friendly solutions with measurable impact. For example, three computing students completed work-integrated learning at a company processing fish from Lake Malawi. The company was taking six hours to move fish from catch to dispatch. The students analyzed the process, developed applications, and reduced that time to 45 minutes. The CEO hired them immediately.

Another group worked with the revenue authority. The CEO told me the students provided solutions that would otherwise have required expensive consultants. I want communities to see that when they bring us a challenge, our students can provide solutions.

We must change the narrative around higher education. It’s not about certificates — it’s about the answers students can provide to real problems.

Gavin Allen: That solutions mindset guides the whole university?

Prof. Address Malata: Yes. Our strategy is built around what we call the Big Five. The elephant represents educational excellence: producing graduates ready for the real world.

The rhino represents research and valorization — research linked to solving practical problems, not just publishing papers.

The leopard represents innovation, enterprise, and technology. Technology will drive the global economy and if you don’t embrace AI, you’ll be left behind. The buffalo represents people and society. We want MUST to be a people’s university that communities feel connected to. Finally, the lion represents creating a supportive environment with quality infrastructure, labs, housing, and creative spaces that allow students and faculty to innovate.

Gavin Allen: And you’re making progress on that fifth pillar?

Prof. Address Malata: Yes. We are building a top-level science lab and a diagnostic research facility with equipment from China. We’re also developing a facility to assemble low-cost tablets to help tackle the digital divide.

At the same time, we want the university to become less dependent on government funding. We created MUST Ventures and established an endowment for needy students. Many students arrive without shoes. We began with fundraising events such as golf tournaments and raised one billion Malawian kwacha — around US$575,000. Today, the endowment has reached 12 billion kwacha.

Gavin Allen: How will technology change what you're doing?

Prof. Address Malata: The speed of change is frightening, but we are adapting and making sure we stay in the game. Our context may differ from larger universities, but our mindset toward AI can still be forward-looking. That’s why we launched our Center for AI more than five years ago and attracted investors.

Gavin Allen: You were the first female vice-chancellor in Malawi. What impact could AI and technology have in creating a more equal society for women and girls?

Prof. Address Malata: Girls cannot be left behind. We have a deliberate 60:40 policy in favor of girls for some special programs because we need more women in STEM and leadership. It’s difficult because many girls face disadvantages early, especially in subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and physics.

We are working with donors such as Mastercard to fund bridging programs for students who narrowly miss entry requirements, helping more girls stay in education. If we don’t do that, the next generation will be full of good boys but no Address Malatas.

I once heard about a young girl in a rural Malawian school who introduced herself to a visiting radio station as “Professor Address Malata.” We have never met, but she had decided she wanted to become me. I want to find her and support her because I know she wants to do even better than I did. AI, STEM, and education must create opportunities for as many girls and women as possible.