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Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
THIS year’s annual Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa University of Zambia (ED-UNZA) scholarship programme’s fundraising dinner will be held on December 1 at a venue yet to be announced.
President Mnangagwa last year launched a personal scholarship programme to assist students from disadvantaged families to pursue tertiary education.
The programme is separate from the general educational support rendered by the Government and is expected to outlive his presidency as well as his life.
The fund benefits both Zimbabwean and Zambian students in an exchange that nurtures the good bilateral relations existing between the two countries.
President Mnangagwa is a graduate of the University of Zambia.
Last year, ED-UNZA fundraising gala managed to raise funds for 15 students enrolled at the University of Zambia and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)
Beneficiaries of the ED-UNZA Scholarship, are drawn from the country’s 10 provinces.
A total of 15 students are pursuing fully-funded undergraduate studies at the University of Zambia and 10 of them are Zimbabweans while five Zambian students are undertaking their studies at CUT.
The scholarship also provides beneficiaries with tuition fees, accommodation, laptops, tablets, clothing and medical insurance, among other necessities.
Zimbabwean students under the scholarship are currently studying law, medicine and other disciplines in the sciences at the University of Zambia.
Those from Zambia are pursuing studies in agricultural engineering, bio-technology, food sciences and technology as well as freshwater and fishery sciences.
The chief organiser of the event, Mrs Shamiso Nhodza said this year’s fundraising dinner is targeting to raise funds that will cater for 35 students.
“Last year, we had 15 students who were enrolled under the programme from across the provinces. Instead of recruiting the same number, we enrolled 20 students and this means the gala is meant to raise money for 35 students so that they can continue with their studies,” she said.
Mrs Nhodza said the dinner is open to corporates and individuals.
“Each corporation can bring only one representative so that we maintain order and no entry or registration fee is required. Those who are interested can contact me on 078 392 2387 for more details,” she said.
During the dinner, people can make pledges and the money will go towards helping the students under the scholarship.
Speaking during the ED-UNZA Scholarship Fundraising Dinner at State House in Harare last year in November, President Mnangagwa said his personal background of deprivation in colonial Rhodesia instilled in him a sense of benevolence towards the underprivileged in society.
At the glamorous occasion, the President’s scarf was auctioned for US$25 000, while his neck-tie fetched US$10 000. More than US$700 000 and at least $16 million was raised through bids and pledges from individuals and representatives of the business community, who graced the occasion.
Last year in December, the ED-UNZA Scholarship Trust received a donation of a 40-seater bus together with funeral cover for all the students, courtesy of leading local firms – Doves Holdings, Faramatsi Motors and Instant Tar Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter