New university aims to boost sustainable mining sector

Malawi is set to establish a new public university that could reshape the future of the country’s mining sector and support its broader socio-economic agenda. The Malawi University of Mining and Technology (MUMT), the country’s eighth public university, will spearhead higher education and research in mining, mineral processing, and related technologies while advancing sustainable practices and renewable energy applications.

MUMT is expected to expand access to higher education for the burgeoning student population and address the critical skills gap that constrains mining sector development within the region, particularly in specialised areas like geological engineering and mining technology.

For a country long dependent on agriculture, the new institution represents a strategic and fundamental step toward diversification and industrialisation, aligning with Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development strategy, according to Dr Abraham Sineta, programme manager for the Malawi Universities Development Program (MUDEP).

“The overall goal is to create a robust, excellent and vibrant mining industry through producing adequate, highly qualified, and specialised human capital. The university aims to become a world-class teaching and research-intensive centre that directly has a positive impact on achieving the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining strategy and the Malawi 2063,” he emphasised in an interview with University World News.

He described the university’s mission as “transformational”, stressing that MUMT will change the trajectory of economic losses and play a leading role in positioning the country to harness the value of local processing and manufacturing of raw minerals.

“The university will ensure that the processing of minerals remains within Malawi. This is crucial for value addition. By building our own capacity, we will ensure that Malawians take the lead in managing the entire mining value chain – from exploration to beneficiation and manufacturing,” he said.

Supporting local research and industry

Sineta noted that most Malawian graduates must study abroad to obtain specialised mining qualifications, which often leads to their staying abroad, creating a skills gap and highlighting the crucial need for the country’s own specialised university.

“This specialised university will encourage young Malawians to study and specialise here at home instead of going abroad, where we risk losing them. It will also expand access through multiple pathways – from certificates and diplomas to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,” Sineta said.

The institution is expected to be grounded in four distinct schools, namely that of Geography, Environment and Information Engineering; Geosciences and Mining; Computing and Information Technology; and Applied Sciences, Technology and Engineering.

The School of Geosciences and Mining will offer programmes essential for developing in-country processing capabilities, like a BSc in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering.

Dr Joshua Chisambi, a mining expert from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), said that one of the university’s primary objectives is to reduce dependence on expatriates in the mining sector.

“The sector is currently heavily dependent on expatriates, which not only inflates operational costs but also limits knowledge transfer to our local professionals. We aim to train highly skilled graduates who can take on these roles, cutting costs and ensuring skills stay in the country,” he said.

Laboratory facilities planned

Another critical concern cited is the loss of foreign exchange due to the lack of advanced laboratories in Malawi. Mineral samples have been routinely sent to South Africa, Australia or Europe for testing, costing the country millions of dollars annually.

“We envision establishing a state-of-the-art central laboratory similar to Stellenbosch University’s [South Africa] Central Analytical Facilities (CAF), which will reduce foreign exchange losses and generate revenue for the university while supporting local research and industry,” Chisambi explained.

He outlined that environmental sustainability would be embedded in the university’s core curriculum design. For example, the School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Engineering includes programmes like a BSc in Renewable Energy Engineering and a BSc in Physics and Nuclear Energy Technology.

“We’re also offering a BSc in Environmental Engineering and a BSc in Environmental Science through our School of Geography, Environment, and Information Engineering. The university will establish centres of excellence focusing on mineral beneficiation, value addition, renewable energy applications in mining, and environmentally sustainable practices,” he said.

Chisambi added that the combination of mineral processing expertise with environmental engineering and renewable energy programmes will ensure that Malawi’s mining sector develops sustainably.

“We want to ensure that, as we build our mining capacity, we also build the expertise to safeguard our environment. Our graduates will be equipped to design policies, facilities, and processes that meet environmental standards and contribute to clean energy goals.”

Lessons from Stellenbosch

To prepare for the establishment of MUMT, a Malawian delegation undertook a benchmarking visit to Stellenbosch University (SU) in July 2025. The visit included officials from MUDEP, lecturers from the Malawi University of Science and Technology, the University of Malawi, and MUBAS, and representatives from the ministries of higher education and mining.

Professor Björn von der Heyden, associate professor in economic geology at SU, told University World News that the mission highlighted the value of intra-African academic partnerships.

“The visit served as a fact-finding mission for the Malawian team to benchmark their future curriculum, student training approaches, and research endeavours. It also fostered South-South collaboration. We look forward to supporting Malawi’s journey towards mining education excellence,” he said.

Chisambi accentuated the importance of the visit, noting that it was an eye-opener to the team of Malawian academics, as it helped them to identify significant strengths and weaknesses to avoid in the development of MUMT.

“The aim of the visit to SU was to gain insights into best practices in curriculum design, content, teaching methods, student assessment, collaboration with industry, and to appreciate the teaching and research facilities. Our key focus included assessment and quality assurance, balance between undergraduate and postgraduate courses, industrial attachments, industry-university collaboration, research facilities, and financing models,” he said.

One of the highlights for the visiting delegation was SU’s CAF, which operates with 90% of its funding derived from laboratory services. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as laser ablation, ICP-MS [inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry], and scanning electron microscopes, the CAF provides services for both industry and academia.

Chisambi said: “The CAF model showed us how a facility can simultaneously sustain world-class research, provide services to industry, and function as a major source of university revenue. This is the type of model we hope to replicate in Malawi.”

The delegation also noted SU’s emphasis on practical, field-based learning and strong industry-university collaboration. Sineta said Malawi intends to build on these strengths.

“We will integrate mandatory industrial attachments, comprehensive field trips, and computing skills across all programmes. These are essential to prepare our graduates for the demands of the fourth industrial revolution and ensure they are immediately employable.”

Regional and global impact

Beyond Malawi, MUMT is expected to play a regional leadership role. The university plans to collaborate with institutions across Southern Africa, creating opportunities for student exchange, joint research, and industry partnerships.

Von der Heyden commended the Malawian team for their efforts to develop a well-researched, feasible, and impactful programme which would contribute towards growing their next generation of thought leaders and practitioners in geoscience.

“Societal upliftment, including the green energy transition, is underpinned by earth resources. A good understanding of geology and geo-metallurgy is essential to extract resources efficiently, sustainably, and with the greatest value realisation,” he said.

According to the World Bank, Malawi’s mining sector could generate up to US$43 billion in export earnings between 2025 and 2040, driven by projects in uranium, rutile, and rare earth elements. With MUMT in place, Malawi will be better positioned to ensure these resources benefit its people.

Sineta said: “This university represents more than education – it’s about economic transformation, technological advancement, and ensuring that our mineral wealth is processed locally. We are building the foundation for Malawi’s transformation from a primarily agricultural economy to a diversified, technology-driven economy that competes globally while upholding sustainability.”