In a vibrant ceremony witnessed by over 50 attendees at the RUFORUM Triennial Conference in Windhoek, Namibia, Midlands State University and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources cemented their partnership by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding on the 14th of August 2024.
Representing MSU were Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa, Executive Dean – Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, Professor Cosmas Parwada and the Deputy Dean Dr Tavagwisa Muziri, who proudly flanked the Vice Chancellor as the MoU was signed.
LUANAR’s delegation comprised Chairman of Council Professor Zachary Kasomekera, Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda, Deputy Vice Chancellor Associate Professor Agnes Mwangwera and University Registrar Dr. Phillip Kaonda.
In a highlight of the event, the Vice Chancellors – Professor Muzvidziwa and Professor Kaunda – signed the MoU to cheering and applause from the audience, cementing the new partnership between the two institutions.
As the MoU was signed to cheering and applause, Professor Muzvidziwa expressed delight that the agreement would see the universities collaborate to curb food insecurity in Malawi and Zimbabwe through knowledge exchange.
Professor Muzvidziwa emphasised the need for real implementation to ensure impact.
Echoing the sentiment, Professor Kaunda said the MoU would facilitate more exchange programmes between the institutions.
In his remarks, LUANAR Chairman of Council – Professor Kasomekera congratulated the two Vice Chancellor for making history noting the irony of the signing in light of the colonial history of Southern Africa which sowed seeds of division among compatriots yet saw the MoU signing ceremony as a symbol of emerging regional unity.
He praised MSU’s innovation, beneficiation, value addition and commercialisation of products and services.
This milestone event marks the beginning of an exciting new era of agriculture development and progress for both universities.
The partnership is sure to yield many fruits in the years ahead.

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