By Chisomo Phiri
Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Pacific Limited on June 18,2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in which Pacific Limited will construct hostels accommodating up to 3,000 students.
The MoU details that Pacific Limited will source land outside the MUST campus, while MUST will ensure the accommodation units meet standards and assist the company in lobbying the government for tax waivers on some construction material imports.
According to Pacific Limited Chairperson Faizal Aboo, the company plans to construct hostels in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu, prioritizing MUST due to the pressing need for student accommodation.
He stated:”We intend to construct the hostels in phases, with the first phase potentially ready by December this year. We believe this venture will fulfill our corporate social responsibilities.”
He said Pacific Limited plans to build hostels across the country with over 40,000 bed spaces but the company requires government waivers to make this feasible.
Aboo explained:”Our estimation shows that around 60% of the construction cost will go towards taxes. If these were waived, the cost could significantly decrease.”
MUST Registrar Alfred Chinombo noted that the hostel construction will alleviate accommodation challenges.
“Accommodation has been a challenge, along with other necessities like laboratory facilities, staff houses, and teaching space.While the government has supported us with laboratories and teaching space, we still struggle with student accommodation, particularly due to our location,” said Chinombo.
He clarified that the MoU does not legally bind MUST to anything beyond assisting Pacific Limited in securing government support for the project.
MUST is Malawi’s fourth public university, established by the Act of Parliament Number 31 of 2012.
The university was officially opened on October 24, 2014, by former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
Its establishment aimed to fill gaps in higher education and human resource development, promoting science, technology, and innovation for Malawi’s macro- and microeconomic development.
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