Kanyama Phiri made the remarks on 2 February 2024 when MUBAS council members toured some of the developmental projects taking place at the university. He also assured MUBAS management that the council will provide all necessary support to ensure that MUBAS can be self-sustaining.

"MUBAS is sitting on a gold mine. The university has so many facilities and expertise that can be used by the public at a fee and help the university generate income. As a council, we will guide management on how we can tap into the vast resources at our disposal to sustain the operations of the university and serve the public better," Kanyama Phiri said. 

MUBAS is developing a University Innovation Pod (UniPod) with funding from the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP). The UniPod will create a space for innovators and creators to help solve social challenges through inventions and ideation. Once operational, the UniPod will revolutionize the innovation and creativity industry in Malawi.

Apart from the UniPod, MUBAS is also setting up an industrial park which, apart from offering training, will also be producing tomato puree and fruit juices among its products.

The council members also visited the mining engineering laboratories and were visibly impressed with the top-notch equipment available. Secretary for Education, Mrs Chikondano Mussa, who was part of the council team, encouraged MUBAS management to collaborate closely with the industry so that the facilities are fully utilised.

"We must make sure that the main players in the construction industry and other related fields are aware of the various tests that these laboratories offer, let`s fully utilise these facilities," advised Mussa.

MUBAS Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Ishmail Kosamu, assured the council members that the university will strive to utilise all the resources at its disposal to serve Malawians better. He said income generation was at the centre of the university’s strategic plan as government funding alone cannot sustain the operations of the university.

As part of commercialising some of its activities to generate income, MUBAS is establishing a full-fledged commercial subsidiary to oversee the university’s investments.