derick.khumalo
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
FOR a fleeting moment, the excitement at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST)’s 32nd graduation ceremony yesterday shifted from the stage to one outstanding graduate as President Mnangagwa rose from his seat to shake the hand of Nomagugu Precious Ngwenya.
The handshake, which drew smiles and applause from the packed gathering, was a fitting moment for a graduate whose academic performance had already set her apart from the hundreds of graduands.
Ngwenya, who graduated with a First Division Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Applied Biology and Biochemistry, walked away with an impressive 14 awards after distinguishing herself with 29 first-class passes out of the 35 modules she studied.
Ngwenya achieved a weighted aggregate score of 84 percent, placing her among the university’s outstanding graduates. The awards included two Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Awards — the US$1 000 award for Overall Best Female Undergraduate Student and the US$500 award for Overall Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Applied Science.
She also received the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize, NUST Book Prize and the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) Prize for Best STEM Female Graduand in the Faculty of Applied Science. Her collection of accolades did not end there.
Ngwenya scooped the ZIMDEF Prize for Best Performing Student, AH Prize for Best Student in Analytical Biochemistry, CN Prize for Best Student in Enzymology and Immunology, and the Krain Labs Prize for Best Student in Quality Assurance.
She also received the LEC Biotec Prize for Best Graduating Student in the Department, PNB Prize for Best Graduating Female Student in the Department, Prof Shadreck Dube Prize for Best Final Year Project, Prof
Thembekile Ncube Prize for Best Student in Advanced Applied Microbiology, and the STEM Lady Shield and Prize for Best Female Graduating Student in the Department.
For Ngwenya, however, the glittering collection of awards was about more than trophies and prizes.
It represented the culmination of years of determination, discipline and hard work.
“I am happy that I graduated with the First Division Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Applied Biology and Biochemistry together with 14 awards. To say I’m happy would be an understatement. I’m excited,
I’m over the moon,” she said.
“This is a dream come true. I’ve been dreaming about this probably ever since I started my studies and it’s finally happening.”
The newly capped graduate also used her moment in the spotlight to encourage young women pursuing STEM-related studies not to be intimidated by the demands of their programmes.
“To other STEM girls, to other ladies out there, whether in Part One, Part Two, Part Three or Part Four, I want you to challenge yourself as much as possible.
“Set a goal, have a dream and challenge yourself to get good grades. With discipline, consistency and good time management, you can do it,” she said.
Ngwenya was not alone in turning the graduation ceremony into a celebration of academic excellence.
Benjamina Niyonsaba-Baranyanga also had plenty to celebrate after graduating with a First Division Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Informatics and walking away with nine awards.
Among the awards she received were the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize, Prof Dr Eng Tawanda Mushiri Prize for Best Graduating Student in the Department, Prof Dr Eng Tawanda Mushiri Prize for Best Female
Graduating Student in the Department, Robert Selemani Prize for Best Graduating Student in the Department, AI Eswatini Prize for Graduating with Distinction, Kganya Ndlovu Prize for Best Graduating Student
in the Department and Omari (Old Mutual Zimbabwe) Prize for Best Graduating Student in the Department.
She also received the Omari Prize for Best Female Graduating Student in the Department, TelOne Best Graduating Student in Informatics and the NUST Book Prize.
Reflecting on her four-year journey, Niyonsaba-Baranyanga said her success had not come without its fair share of challenges.
“Reflecting on my four-year journey, it has been a series of tears, hard work and persistence. It was a very long journey. We had a lot of obstacles that we faced, assignments and personal projects that we built,” she
said.
“Looking back, I would like to also say it has been a journey that taught me how to be consistent with my work and showing up every day, and eventually the results will show.”
Adding to the celebrations was Zimpapers staffer and Chronicle Day Editor Nduduzo Tshuma, who graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Journalism and Media Studies with a distinction.
Tshuma was also recognised with the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize, NUST Book Prize and Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) Prize for Best Graduating Postgraduate Student.
He further received the Zimbabwe Centre for Media and Information Literacy (ZCMIL) Innovate360 Programme Prize for Best Graduating Student in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Media.
His achievement added a professional dimension to the graduation celebrations, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and the pursuit of academic excellence by media practitioners.
The ceremony also shone a light on the achievements of students who had overcome challenges outside the classroom.
Mayibongwe Dube, a graduand living with a disability, received the ZIMDEF Prize for Graduating Student with Disability.
The recognition carried a message extending beyond his own academic achievement. He said his award demonstrated that disability should never be equated with inability and that people living with disabilities could excel when given the opportunity, support and an environment that allows them to realise their potential.
“I am happy as a person with a disability because this shows that disability is not inability. People with disabilities can also do better and achieve their goals if they are given the opportunity,” he said.
His achievement served as an encouraging reminder that the pursuit of academic excellence has no disability and that universities have an important role to play in ensuring that students with disabilities are given opportunities to compete and succeed.
The graduation ceremony also reflected NUST’s international outlook, with Zambian national Milton Mumoneka receiving a Special Award for International Student. Mumoneka graduated with a Bachelor of Science Special Honours Degree in Radiography.
For the Zambian graduate, his achievement was also a moment to express gratitude to NUST and Zimbabwe for providing him with a welcoming environment during his studies.
He said the hospitality he experienced in Zimbabwe had made his stay as an international student memorable, while NUST had given him the academic environment and opportunity to pursue his chosen career.
His graduation demonstrated the university’s ability to attract students from beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, adding an international dimension to the celebrations.
