The MUBAS Vice-Chancellor made the appeal during the swearing-in ceremony of the new student leaders held on 13 October 2026 at the MUBAS ODeL Auditorium in Blantyre.

She said leadership comes with great responsibility, emphasising that every word spoken and action taken by SRC leaders carries significant weight and meaning.

“Most of you here are young, but now that you have assumed leadership positions, you can no longer regard yourselves as young, because you have a huge responsibility to ensure that there is a cordial relationship between the student body and university management,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

She added that the university had enjoyed peace over the past few years, resulting in uninterrupted academic calendars. She, therefore, urged the new leadership to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation whenever misunderstandings arise.

Prof. Chitera also commended the University Students Electoral Commission (USEC) for conducting free, fair and credible elections, noting that the process had ensured that all contestants accepted the results.

She further assured the student body that university management would continue working with student leaders to improve students’ welfare.

In his acceptance speech, newly elected SRC President Emmanuel Mpakwe said his committee would work diligently with university management to address some of the challenges facing students.

He singled out sanitation as one of the key areas requiring improvement to ensure that students live in a clean and healthy environment.

“I will work together with management to address major student concerns, including sanitation facilities such as toilets and washrooms in order to create a safe learning environment,” he said.

Following their swearing-in, the new SRC leaders underwent a two-day orientation programme aimed at equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to discharge their duties effectively.

The orientation sessions, held on 24 and 25 October 2026 in the university’s main boardroom in Blantyre, covered several areas, including conflict resolution and management, communication, the university’s governance structure and financial management.

The new SRC leaders will serve the student body for a one-year term. Among other eligibility requirements, SRC officers are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance.