She made the remarks on 17 June 2026 during the university's third graduation ceremony held at the MUBAS Grounds in Blantyre, where 1,353 students graduated with certificates, diplomas, and degrees in various disciplines.

Chitera emphasized that MUBAS is committed to producing highly skilled graduates, noting that Malawi's economic development aspirations depend largely on the development of its human capital.

"We want to promote a mindset shift towards innovation, entrepreneurship, and engineering solutions. Our expectation is that these graduates will apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to contribute meaningfully to the country's development," she said.

The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted that the university has established several units to support key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, and information technology. She cited the Agriculture Mechanization Unit and the University Innovation Pod (UniPod) as examples of initiatives aimed at driving the country's economic transformation.

"We do not want research to remain confined to lecture rooms and conferences; we want it to create tangible impact in our communities," added Chitera.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairperson of the MUBAS Council, Mr. William Mpinganjira, said the council remains committed to ensuring that the university stays relevant and responsive to both present and future needs by upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, integrity, and accountability.

He urged the graduates to view their qualifications not merely as academic achievements but as tools for driving national development and transformation.

In his remarks, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Ken Ndala, commended MUBAS for the significant progress it has made since its establishment in 2021. He noted that the university continues to provide industry-relevant education in engineering, business, and other disciplines critical to Malawi's economic agenda.

Ndala reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the university's growth, including continued investment in infrastructure development to address accommodation challenges.

Of the 1,353 graduates, 201 obtained postgraduate certificates, diplomas, and master's degrees. Among the undergraduate graduates, 13 students, including five females, graduated with distinctions.