Kambauwa-Wirima therefore hailed MUBAS for establishing ICE as it offers an opportunity for continuous learning to Malawians. She further said that ICE will complement government’s effort of increasing access to higher education in line with the 2020-2030 National Education Sector Investment Plan – NESIP, which aims at creating a learning environment that empowers learners to be creative and innovative.

"Education is a corner stone of progress, it’s a key that unlocks the door to the better future, so as a nation, we must increase access to quality education to produce a well-trained workforce that can drive the country’s development agenda," she said.

"Education is not just about the certification, education is about instilling values and character building and we must ensure that we deliver quality education," added Wirima.

Making her remarks, MUBAS Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, said the establishment of ICE is a clear testament of the university’s vision and dedication to increasing access to tertiary education for Malawians. Chitera also said that MUBAS is geared to provide relevant and quality education that is demand driven to address society needs of the country and promote positive change in the country. 

Chitera added that ICE will develop flexible modes of delivery to give chances to as many Malawians of acquiring university education.

"MUBAS is also in the process of developing a prior learning policy as one way of opening up university admission to many Malawians," said Chitera. 

In his presentation, ICE Centre Manager, Dr. Andrew Chimpololo said ICE has now been given mandate to venture into research and innovations and such initiatives will transform the landscape of continuous learning in Malawi.

Chimpololo further said ICE will develop more relevant local demand driven programmes as one way of saving the country’s forex which is drained through payment of fees to foreign examination bodies.

ICE currently has a student population of over two thousand and it has evolved over the years to meet the demands of the industry and the country at large. ICE, with the new mandate, will now incorporate all academic programmes that were previously being offered at Management Development Centre (MDC), another arm of MUBAS.