Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa has commended Midlands State University (MSU) for its efforts in leveraging intellectual resources to drive socio-economic development.
He said different communities are already enjoying the benefits of the university’s transformative community engagement programmmes.
In a speech read on his behalf by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at the MSU’s Silver Jubilee celebrations held in Harare last Thursday, President Mnangagwa said it was gratifying to note that MSU had harnessed its intellectual resources to promote socio-economic development across the country.
“I encourage the institution to further these initiatives across our rural communities to complement my Government’s programmes targeted at fostering rural development and industrialisation,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said it was encouraging to note that MSU has developed into a highly competitive 5.0 Education hub that is providing capital and start-ups to develop life-changing solutions that enable sustainable socio-economic development.
President Mnangagwa said in line with Government’s policy, the university established innovation hubs and an industrial park to create clear pathways that link research, innovation and industrialisation within the university system.
“The MSU Innovation Hub provides seed capital and incubates promising start-ups to develop life-changing solutions that enable sustainable socio-economic development,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the university has increased its visibility by establishing campuses in Gweru which is the main campus, Harare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe and Zvishavane.
He said the university’s campuses and faculties are buttressed by a complex ecosystem of research-intensive institutes and centres such as the National Pathology Research and Diagnostic Centre, the Tugwi-Mukosi Multi-Disciplinary Research Centre, the National Language Institute Centre and the Centre for Public Policy and Devolution.
President Mnangagwa said MSU was now a leading and distinguished example of an institution of higher learning that is stimulating rural industrialisation, agro-innovations and value addition.
The university operates viable community engagements projects in Chirumanzu and Mutoko districts.
The MSU, like other State universities across the country, has taken heed of the Government’s call for universities to produce tangible goods and services that address challenges facing communities.
Our universities are now churning out graduates that meet societal demands and this is as it should be.
We continue to celebrate innovation breakthroughs as our universities engage in research to find solutions to challenges facing communities.
