Beyond the Provision of Education: How do Local Host Communities Benefit from Universities? The Case of Malawi University of Science and Technology in Thyolo, Malawi

Abstract

University education contribution has for long period of time been viewed mainly through the lenses of its contribution to national development and not particularly on how much they contribute to the host communities’ development. This study was conducted to fill this existing gap in literature by assessing the social impacts of university projects on host communities using the case of Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) on livelihoods. The study used narrative qualitative method. The University project increased income opportunities through; employment and business especially for the rural youth thereby altering their social status, improved community interaction mainly through sports, religious activities and music, changes in property rights (housing; land and improvement of municipal and social service infrastructure).  On the other side of the coin, there has been a major threat on youth behaviour which was in conflict with local culture; and increased land dispossession from the local host community members thereby threatening the livelihoods of some in the long run as land is the life blood for the poor.  The study recommends that local people need to increase their knowledge and capacity to cease opportunities brought by these infrastructural projects in order to enhance their livelihoods.

Keywords: Universities, Local Host Community, Rural Development, Malawi