MUST Design Studio

Team Mavericks are here again!

This time, they are competing at a global stage in the prestigious Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies Design Competition after winning the continental People’s Choice Award.

The competition will take place tomorrow starting at 14:00 CAT with Team Mavericks scheduled to present at around 17:00 CAT.

The team requires public support to win the this year’s Global People’s Choice Award as such we request you all to take a moment and vote for them.

👉 Cast your vote here:https://bit.ly/4cIztml

You can also watch the competition live using the link below: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://riceuniversity.zoom.us/s/99882222446?pwd%3DeVXuD2y4gwH0Vc2trS4bnWG74b3qwN.1&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1777307747616623&usg=AOvVaw3-C4vrjk_z2oXgtKhhWZ3h

The Design Studio is always grateful for the support you always give the MUST Innovators🫡

Where Curiosity Met Action: InnovateDx Workshop Reflections

On 20 February 2026, the Malawi Liverpool Welcome Programme hosted the InnovateDx Workshop under the theme “Where Curiosity Meets Hands-on Innovation,” featuring innovators from the MUST Design Studio. Led by Prof. Manu Prakash of Stanford University, the workshop showcased how frugal science and AI can drive impactful healthcare solutions.

Highlights included the Foldscope, a low-cost paper microscope, and an AI-powered microscope delivering results in under a minute, demonstrating that innovation can be both simple and high-tech depending on context. Prof. Prakash emphasized persistence, curiosity, and everyday problem-solving, introducing the FRADPARC framework (Functional Requirements, Analysis, Design Parameters, Risk, Countermeasures) for systematic innovation.

MUST Design Studio teams demonstrated this approach in practice: the MACPAP project by the Mavericks addressed healthcare challenges through iterative design; ImmunoTrackr by Mphatso Muhiwa improved immunization tracking and health data visibility; and a banana-based porridge innovation tackled malnutrition using local resources by Rachel.

These projects showed how structured design thinking, mentorship, and practical tools can transform ideas into solutions that address real Malawian challenges.
Ultimately, the workshop was more than a showcase of tools and projects, it was an invitation to think critically, observe carefully, and pursue problems that matter deeply. It highlighted that meaningful innovation grows where curiosity meets action, perseverance, and a commitment to improving everyday life, proving that impactful solutions can emerge locally when students are empowered with the right resources and mindset.