MUST suspends USAID-funded activities, leaving students in limbo

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has suspended all activities and student support funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This follows a directive from the U.S. government to halt work and expenditures on all USAID-funded projects starting January 2025.

In a memo by the University Registrar, Dr. Duncane Batizani, staff involved in USAID-funded initiatives have been instructed to cease work immediately.

“All staff involved in USAID-funded projects are kindly requested to cease work on these activities with immediate effect,” the memo states.

The memo also informs students benefiting from USAID financial support that their funding has been discontinued and urges them to seek alternative sources of financial assistance.

“Students who were receiving financial support under USAID-funded projects are advised that this funding is no longer available. We encourage affected students to explore alternative funding options to continue their studies,” the statement reads.

The abrupt funding suspension has left many students uncertain about their academic future, as the university administration acknowledged its inability to sustain the affected programs independently.

The suspension impacts a range of projects and activities at the institution, although specific details were not disclosed in the memo.