Chitera made the remarks on 23, January, 2024 during the orientation session of new students at the University’s main campus in Blantyre.  She added that   MUBAS remains undeterred towards its mission of being a university that seeks to create a vibrant and intellectual environment in order to produce influential, entrepreneurial, and innovative graduates who can drive the pace of transformation locally and globally. Chitera said that from the rock of the University’s mission, hewed out are the core values of excellence, integrity, responsiveness, diversity, discovery, and innovation.  

"You are joining a university that envisions to be a centre of academic excellence and this vision can only be achieved if we produce graduates that can create positive impact in the Malawi society and beyond. And to achieve that vision, the university   will give you all the support for you to excel in your studies. All we ask from each one of you is to devote your time to studies,’’ said Chitera. 

Furthermore, Associate Professor Chitera assured the students that MUBAS has well trained and professional staff. She also encouraged the students to utilize the abundance of knowledge that the university offers.

"All our executive deans and heads of academic departments are PhD holders, which is a clear testimony to our commitment of delivering quality research and education, so as you embark on this phase of your academic journey, tap knowledge from the different professionals and experts you will meet in your lecture rooms," added Chitera.

Thokozire Mafeni, one of the newly enrolled students, expressed gratitude to MUBAS management for organizing the orientation session pointing out that it has provided some insights to students on what university education is all about.

"The orientation has helped us to know what university life is all about. We have also been briefed on the University structures and processes and we know which offices to go when seeking assistance," Mafeni said.

Before the orientation sessions, MUBAS management engaged parents and guardians of the newly enrolled students, and during the interaction, the MUBAS Vice Chancellor urged the parents and guardians to collaborate with the University in shaping the future of their wards.

Chairperson of MUBAS Parents Association, Paul Chikwekwe, implored his fellow parents to take an active role in the academic lives of their children and engage the University management whenever they want to be updated on the academic performance of their wards.

Over 3000 students have enrolled for various programmes in the 2024 academic year, bringing the total number of students at MUBAS to over 10,000.