adminLisa Shirichena Herald Reporter
More than 1 000 Women’s University in Africa (WUA) students were conferred with degrees in various disciplines at a ceremony held in Harare yesterday.
WUA Vice Chancellor Professor Hope Sadza presided over the graduation ceremony held at Celebration Centre.
Of the 1 032 students who graduated, 77 percent were women, while the remainder were men.
The graduates were drawn from faculties of management and entrepreneurial development studies, agriculture, information technology and social sciences and gender development.
Addressing the graduates, Prof Sadza said the university’s enrolment was increasing remarkably and commended the graduates for lifting the university’s flag high.
“I express my most sincere congratulations to you. Some of us might be sitting here wondering and pondering whether they will get employment. Now that the university has equipped you with the required skills, you need to be different and start thinking and acting outside the box, that is being entrepreneurial,” she said.
Prof Sadza encouraged the graduates to be innovative and not to wait for formal employment.
“We must think outside the box, push the borders and see what discomfort you can turn into comfort. The further you push the limits, the more you come to realize that there are no limits at all,” said Prof Sadza.
She said like any other educational institution in Zimbabwe, WUA faced challenges of students who failed to pay tuition fees on time.
Prof Sadza said although they allowed students to pay in instalments, it affected the smooth running of the university, including raising money for the construction of the Marondera Campus.
The graduation was attended by university officials among them chancellor of the university, Dr Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika.
About 5 000 students have graduated with degrees in various disciplines since the establishment of the university in 2005.
Online Reporter