The President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, has recognized the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) for its significant contributions towards advancing industrialization in the country. During his visit to the MUBAS pavilion at the 33rd Malawi International Trade Fair on May 17, 2023, held under the theme “Rebalancing Malawi's Trade through Industrialization,” President Chakwera expressed admiration for the institution's innovative projects, particularly a drone designed and assembled by the University.

This drone, which was prominently displayed at the fair, garnered attention due to its impactful role in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy. A certified drone pilot at MUBAS, Hope Kelvin Chilunga, highlighted how the drone was instrumental in capturing aerial images during the Cyclone Freddy disaster. “These images played a vital role in identifying areas that required immediate assistance, particularly where roads and bridges had been destroyed, making ground access impossible. This drone has a flight time of up to four hours, allowing it to survey areas cut off by the cyclone, where roads and bridges were impassable,” explained Chilunga.

In light of this success, Chilunga further recommended that the government should consider adopting drone technology in various sectors, including disaster management and healthcare, as a proactive measure to address Malawi’s pressing logistical and infrastructural challenges as such technology can enhance the country’s response capabilities in emergencies.