Bingu School of Culture and Heritage - MUST

Home
Malawi
Blantyre
Bingu School of Culture and Heritage - MUST

We are a School of culture and heritage that promotes humanistic sciences and the advancement of culture, heritage, arts, humanities and social sciences.

The Bingu School of Culture and Heritage (BISCH) was the third school to be operationalised at MUST in 2016. It started with two academic programmes at undergraduate level but it has now grown to five undergraduate programmes and one postgraduate programme. The Executive Dean of the School is Dr. Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi. It is still growing and currently has three departments of Language and Communication Studies, headed by Dr Marion Chirwa Kajombo; Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practice; and African Musicology, both headed by Dr. Ignasio Jimu. Programmes currently offered under BISCH are as follows: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practice, BA in African Musicology, BA in Language, Communication and Culture, and BA in Cultural Economy. BISCH also has the Centre for Strategic Studies established jointly with the Malawi Defence Forces. The Centre is currently offering a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Studies under MDF’s Staff and Command College in Salima. The Music Department also oversees operations of the MUST Band and MUST Orchestra while the Indigenous Knowledge Department runs a Ceramics Studio. Where they produce various ceramic products that are available for sale.

09/09/2026

MUST Cultural and Research Innovation Festival Kicks Off Tomorrow

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) will tomorrow, September 10, open its Annual Cultural and Research Innovation Festival at the Ndata Campus.

Running until September 12, the event will be officially launched by the Vice Chancellor and is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants, including students, exhibitors, cultural groups, SMEs, schools, government departments, and international delegates.

The first two days will feature the Research Dissemination Conference (RDC), with papers presented across ten thematic pillars ranging from health and climate resilience to digital futures and creative industries.

The final day will host the Cultural Festival, showcasing youth competitions, innovation expos, poetry, music, and dance performances. Guest artists include Tay Grin, Temwa, and poet Robert Chiwamba, with fashion designer Lily Alfonso as Guest of Honour.

MUST has urged participants to attend in decent cultural and traditional attire to reflect the spirit of the festival.

07/09/2026

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬
MUST is set to host its fourth annual Cultural and Research Innovation Festival from September 10 to 12, 2026. The event will be held at the university's Ndata Campus in Thyolo.
It will bring together science, technology, arts, culture and heritage under one platform.

Held under the theme of “Integrating Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Heritage for Sustainable Innovation and Development in the Global South,” the festival will connect academic research with cultural preservation, innovation and economic opportunities.

The first two days of festival are for the Research Dissemination Conference (RDC), which will provide a platform for researchers, students, innovators and other stakeholders to share knowledge across topics, including artificial intelligence and data science, climate resilience, health, agriculture, indigenous knowledge, creative industries, entrepreneurship and youth skills.

On the third and final day, attention will turn to the Cultural Festival, which will celebrate Malawi’s rich heritage through music, dance, poetry, art, traditional food and creative enterprise.
The festival will also feature technology and innovation displays, including AI and arts exhibitions, agricultural innovations and heritage-based technologies developed by staff and students.

According to Dr Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi, Executive Dean for the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage, the festival is expected to attract more than 3,000 people, alongside 50 exhibitors, 50 cultural groups, 30 SMEs, schools, government departments, traditional leaders, private sector partners and international delegates.

The festival is guided by the objectives of the MUST 2024–2030 Strategic Plan and aligns with national and global development frameworks, including Malawi 2063, African Union Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals.

With its blend of knowledge, innovation and culture, MUST is inviting researchers, students, investors, entrepreneurs and culture lovers to be part of an event where science meets heritage and ideas are transformed into opportunities.

04/09/2026

Mwaona Nyirongo Calls for Listening Otherwise in Abortion Debates at University of Pretoria

Building on BISCH’s reputation for advancing decolonial scholarship, Lecturer Mwaona Nyirongo on 2nd September presented his study “Care, Attunement, and Relationality: Listening Otherwise in Abortion Debates in Africa” at the University of Pretoria.

Nyirongo’s research examines abortion debates across Africa, where discussions are often fractured by binary thinking, toxic masculinity, and biomedical rationalities. He applies Lisbeth Lipari’s concept of Listening Otherwise as a radical praxis to move beyond adversarial binaries.

The study argues that ontological openness, ethical hosting, and resonance can transform discursively violent debates into spaces of kinship and care. By foregrounding the voices of the “Other,” Nyirongo shows how listening can foster solidarity and relationality in public life.
“Listening otherwise foregrounds the other, which is critical in developing relationships and kinship in public abortion‑related debates,” Nyirongo explains.

Nyirongo’s work demonstrates BISCH’s commitment to reshaping both clinical encounters and public debates through practices of listening, care, and relationality.

02/09/2026

MUST SOCIOLINGUIST EXPLORES COMMUNICATION AS CARE AT UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

Dr. Marion Chirwa Kajombo, a sociolinguist in the Language and Communication Studies (LCOS) department at MUST, together with Assoc Prof Bregje de Kok from the University of Amsterdam on have presented frontier research at the Affinity Conference-University of Pretoria, reframing how communication in reproductive health care is understood in majority world contexts.

Their paper, “Communication as a Practice of Care: Shifting the Medical and Linguistic Gaze to the Majority World,” challenges dominant “global” ideals of direct communication and patient‑centredness. Drawing on Sociolinguistics, linguistic ethnography and conversation analysis, the study shows how taboo topics, colonial histories, and diverse healing traditions shape encounters between health workers and patients.

By adopting a decolonial lens, Chirwa Kajombo and de Kok argue that effective communication is not merely about transmitting information but about cultivating relationships, affinity, and care. Their findings from Ghana and Malawi highlight how listening and collaboration can either strengthen or obstruct trust in reproductive health settings.

This work positions LCOS as a leader in rethinking health communication, offering insights that resonate far beyond Malawi and Africa, and contributing to global debates on care and ethics in medicine. Chirwa Kajombo was sponsored by the organisers of the conference-University of Pretoria's Re-imagining Reproduction where she briefly did her Postdoctoral fellowship

25/08/2026

Copyright Fund Applauds MUST for Arts Boot Camp

By Charity Chikale

The Copyright Fund has commended the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) for successfully organizing the MUST Arts Boot Camp, a five-day initiative aimed at nurturing creativity and artistic talent among young people.

The boot camp, hosted under the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage, brought together participants from diverse creative backgrounds and provided them with a platform to learn, develop, and showcase their talents.

Speaking during the closing ceremony on 21 August, Copyright Fund representative Mr. Tikhale Chikanda praised MUST for creating an environment that promotes artistic expression, skills development, and the preservation of cultural heritage through the arts.

He further noted that the inclusion of participants from surrounding villages demonstrated the University's commitment to community engagement and inclusivity.

Throughout the five-day programme, participants engaged in a variety of activities designed to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills. Training areas included graphic design, creative writing, herbal medicine, drawing, and painting.

As part of the closing activities, participants showcased their work to guests and fellow attendees, demonstrating the skills and knowledge they had acquired during the boot camp. They were also presented with certificates of participation in recognition of their successful completion of the programme.

The Executive Dean of the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage, Dr. Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi, described the event as an important milestone, marking the inaugural MUST Arts Boot Camp and making the participants the first beneficiaries of the initiative.

She explained that the successful implementation of the programme underscores the importance of investing in creative spaces where young people can explore their talents, preserve cultural knowledge, and gain practical artistic skills.

Dr. Mtenje-Mkochi added that the boot camp lays a strong foundation for future editions of the programme and reflects MUST's commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural preservation among young people.

18/08/2026

MUST, STORY WORKSHOP PARTNER TO BOOST CREATIVE INDUSTRY

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Story Workshop Education Trust (SWET) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening practical skills development for creative arts students.

The agreement, signed during the MUST Arts Boot Camp in Thyolo on 17th of August, will provide students from the university's Bingu School of Culture and Heritage with hands-on industry experience through placements at SWET's audio production studio.

Under the partnership, Musicology and Creative Arts students will have opportunities to work on music recordings, podcasts, advertising content and other creative productions while learning from industry professionals.

The two institutions say the collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the creative industry, while helping nurture the next generation of artists, producers and content creators in Malawi.

17/08/2026

OMEGA MWALE INSPIRES ARTS BOOT CAMP PARTICIPANTS THROUGH MUSIC

By Charity Chikale

The opening ceremony of the MUST Arts Boot Camp today, was marked by a captivating performance from Omega Mwale, a third-year African Musicology student at MUST, who performed three original songs, including "Popita Madzi."

Explaining the message behind the song, Mwale said the boot camp participants are like people standing beneath a waterfall, undergoing a transformative experience that will leave them refreshed, enlightened and empowered with new knowledge and skills.

He commended the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage for introducing the initiative, describing it as a significant investment in the future of Malawi's creative industry.

According to Mwale, the boot camp has created a unique platform for mentorship, networking and inspiration, allowing established and emerging artists to connect and learn from one another.

He expressed confidence that the programme will leave a lasting impact on participants and contribute to the growth of a vibrant new generation of creatives.

17/08/2026

BOOT CAMP PARTICIPANTS TOUR MUST FM
Participants in the ongoing MUST Arts Boot Camp have toured MUST FM as part of their orientation programme, gaining first-hand insight into radio broadcasting and media production.

The visit exposed the young creatives to the operations of a modern community radio station, including programme production, studio management and content creation.

The participants, who are undergoing training in areas such as music, creative writing, painting and graphic design, also interacted with radio personnel to appreciate the role media plays in promoting arts and culture.

The tour was designed to give the participants a broader understanding of opportunities available within the creative industry and how artists can use media platforms to reach wider audiences.

17/08/2026

MUST BOOT CAMP OPENS TO TURN CREATIVE TALENT INTO CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC CAPITAL

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has launched an ambitious arts boot camp, bringing together 36 young creatives for intensive training designed to strengthen Malawi's cultural identity while unlocking the economic potential of the creative sector.

Funded by the Copyright Fund and implemented through MUST's Bingu School of Culture and Heritage, the programme is equipping participants with skills in music, creative writing, painting, graphic design and herbal medicine.

Opening the boot camp, MUST Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Mwapatsa Mipando described the arts as a powerful economic driver that can create wealth, jobs and opportunities when supported through meaningful partnerships and investment.

Mipando said the initiative will also help young people recognise the value of preserving Malawi's cultural heritage, ensuring that tradition remains relevant in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Bingu School of Culture and Heritage Executive Dean Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi said the boot camp was born out of a clear need to address longstanding gaps in Malawi's creative industry and provide emerging artists with pathways to professional growth.

The participants represent a diverse cross-section of the country's creative community, including secondary school students, with the youngest attendee just 11 years old—an indication of the growing interest among young Malawians in the arts as both a cultural calling and a viable career path.

13/08/2026

THE STORY BEHIND THE DRUM THAT DEFINES MUST GRADUATIONS

As hundreds of graduates crossed the stage during the Malawi University of Science and Technology's (MUST) graduation ceremony on 6 August 2026, one familiar sound punctuated every conferment of a degree—the distinctive beat of the university's graduation drum.

For many, the drum is one of the most memorable symbols of a MUST graduation. Few, however, know the story behind the instrument and the academic who helped transform it into a unique feature of the university's ceremonies.

The MUST graduation drum was developed through the efforts of Dr Robert Chanunkha of the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage (BISCH), who envisioned a ceremonial symbol that would reflect the university's values and identity.

To bring that vision to life, Dr Chanunkha identified sources of suitable hardwood in Salima and facilitated the engagement of skilled craftsmen Symon Mbepula and Funnel Songa, to construct the instrument.

He also provided detailed specifications on the drum's size, shape, and artistic design. The finished piece incorporates symbolic engravings, decorative woodwork, and a distinctive finish intended to align with the University's vision and mission.

"The drum was designed to be more than a musical instrument. It was intended to become a symbol of achievement and a unique part of the University's graduation culture," said Dr Chanunkha.

One of the drum's most recognisable features is the rhythmic pronunciation of "nda-ta" when the instrument is struck twice during the conferment of awards. The rhythm, proposed by Dr Chanunkha, has become synonymous with MUST graduations and is instantly recognised by graduates and guests.

Over the years, the drum has evolved into one of the University's most distinctive traditions, blending academic ceremony with Malawian cultural heritage.

Its continued use during the 2026 graduation ceremony highlighted the contribution of the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage to the University's cultural life and demonstrated how indigenous artistic traditions can enrich modern academic ceremonies.

For graduates, the sound of the drum marks a defining moment—the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter. For MUST, it stands as a lasting symbol of excellence, identity and heritage.

Address

Bingu School Of Culture And Heritage, Malawi University Of Science And Technology, P. O. Box 51196, Limbe
Blantyre

Website

https://www.must.ac.mw/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bingu School of Culture and Heritage - MUST posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Bingu School of Culture and Heritage - MUST:

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Blantyre?

Bingu School of Culture and Heritage - MUST

09/09/2026

07/09/2026

04/09/2026

02/09/2026

25/08/2026

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

13/08/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The School

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request