MUBAS Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, made the remarks on 21 October 2026 when TotalEnergies presented awards to outstanding students at the MUBAS Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) Auditorium in Blantyre.

Chitera said that since 1979, TotalEnergies had demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and human capital development by recognising the university’s best-performing students, some of whom had gone on to make significant contributions both nationally and internationally.

She added that higher education institutions in the country could no longer afford to operate in isolation but needed to collaborate with industry and other partners to provide relevant education capable of transforming the country.

“We gather here not only to celebrate these awards, but also to celebrate a vital and enduring relationship between TotalEnergies and our university, which has continued since 1979,” said Chitera.

Chitera further highlighted that the university had realigned its curriculum to respond to emerging technologies and evolving industry trends.

“Our students continue to undertake groundbreaking research in renewable energy, supply chain logistics, innovation and other areas in order to find solutions to the various challenges facing our communities,” she added.

In her remarks, TotalEnergies Marketing Malawi Limited Managing Director, Omotesele Akinpelu, said the company was pleased that many past recipients of the awards had distinguished themselves professionally, demonstrating the initiative’s lasting impact.

“We are happy to honour hard work, and these awards give recipients a sense of accomplishment,” said Akinpelu.

She urged the award recipients not to become complacent but to continue working hard and preparing for the challenges ahead.

“Much as you may be proud of this achievement, you must realise that the corporate world you will soon enter also presents greater challenges. I therefore urge you to continue working hard and always strive for excellence,” she said.

Former TotalEnergies Marketing Malawi Limited (TMML) award recipient, Atuweni Tizifa, encouraged the current recipients not to view the awards as their final destination but rather as a reminder of their potential.

Speaking during the ceremony, Tizifa highlighted the importance of applying academic knowledge to solve real-world problems.

“Education gives you knowledge, but the real value of that knowledge is demonstrated when you use it to create something meaningful,” Tizifa said.

She commended TotalEnergies for its continued investment in education and student development through the awards initiative, noting that it inspires students to pursue excellence with confidence, dedication and hard work.

Reflecting on his achievement, one of the 2026 TMML award recipients, Blessings Kapinda, a fourth-year Business Communication student, said his personal background motivated him to excel academically.

“Coming from a low-income family and being the firstborn, I am driven to set a strong example for my siblings. This motivation is what helped me earn this award,” Kapinda said.

He encouraged fellow students to remain resilient in the face of everyday challenges, urging them to persevere despite financial constraints and academic pressure as they work towards achieving their goals.

A total of 15 students from the university’s five schools received awards worth a combined K10 million.

The award categories included Top-Performing Female Student awards in the Schools of Engineering and Business and Economic Sciences; Most Improved Student awards in the two schools; and awards for two Most Financially Needy Students with an Improved Grade Point Average (GPA), with one receiving tuition fees cover and the other, upkeep expenses.