The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has strengthened its reputation for hands-on, innovation-focused education after its Computer Studies and Information Technology (CSIT) team won the 2026 ICTAM National Students Hackathon.
The inaugural event, hosted at the TMF Centre of Excellence in Mpemba, brought together leading student innovators from institutions such as Mzuzu University (MZUNI), University of Malawi (UNIMA), and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS).
The winning MUST team, comprising fourth-year student Chisomo Kambalame, alongside Austin Thedzengwa and Nyasha Chinthu, developed a fully functional prototype in just four days.
Their project addressed key civic challenges aligned with Pillar 8 of Good Governance, earning praise from judges for its practicality and real-world impact.
Bennett Kankuzi, Associate Professor and Head of CSIT at MUST, commended the team’s achievement, emphasizing the university’s commitment to applied learning.
He noted that the win reflects how students are not only gaining knowledge but actively using it to solve real-life problems.
The hackathon also featured a keynote by Peter Ngwira, Chief Executive Officer of Nyasa Engineering Consultancy Ltd.
Speaking under the theme “Coding a Circular Economy for Africa: A Fresh Transformation Agenda,” Ngwira encouraged students to turn academic ideas into scalable business ventures.
He stressed that innovation must go beyond theory, urging participants to focus on solutions that address real societal and industrial needs.
According to Ngwira, true impact lies not just in innovation itself, but in the ability to scale and commercialize ideas.
Ngwira also highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities and industry, advocating for co-production as a way to accelerate innovation and maximize impact.
With support from NICO Technologies, the MUST team’s success demonstrates how early exposure to entrepreneurship and industry partnerships can equip students for global competitiveness.
As the voice of ICT professionals in the country, Information and Communication Technology Association of Malawi (ICTAM) continues to play a key role in connecting academic talent with industry, helping nurture a new generation of innovators ready to drive Malawi’s digital and economic growth.
