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Walter Nyamukondiwa in Chegutu
Construction and preparatory work at Great Heights University (GHU) is advancing ahead of the first intake slated for October, with the vice-chancellor and other critical staff already appointed.
The GHU is expected to advance Science/Security, Technology, Engineering, Agro-business and Medicine (STEAM) programmes tailored to drive industrialisation in Chegutu Town and support emerging industries in mining.
In a brief during Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo’s tour of the university campus, Vice Chancellor Professor James Makainde said Zimche had given the university the green light to recruit students for the October intake.
“We are starting with four colleges, that is the College of Agri-business, Life and Applied Sciences, College of Business Law and Educational Sciences, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Innovation, College of Health and Allied Medical Sciences,” said Prof Makainde.
“These programmes fit into NDS1 and 2 and Education 5.0, which means we are preparing the next generation of Zimbabweans that works for this country and the world. A generation that will not wait only to get employed but that is innovative.”
The university, he said, was pursuing holistic development of the students to be valuable to the world through innovation.
He commended Zimbabwe for advancing ideals of youth development through innovation being pursued by the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
He said the university would pursue reverse osmosis of Zimbabwe human capital from flocking out of the country and also attract students from other countries.
The university is being set up by the SDA and so far $5 million has been injected into the project plans are that the figure will shoot to $50 million in the next five years.
GHU council chairman Pastor Godfrey Musara said the university was ready to welcome students following completion of the computer lab, library, administration offices and lecture rooms.
Minister Chombo hailed the SDA church for setting up the university in the province and heeding President Mnangagwa’s call for local solutions to local challenges.
“We are seeing a success story of public-private partnerships as espoused by President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Chombo.
“This development gels in with Vision 2030 and also Government’s rural industrialisation thrust and we hope the University will help communities find and express themselves better.”
She said GHU should tailor its programmes to industry and community needs in light of increased economic activity in mining and agriculture in Chegutu and surrounding areas.
Work has commenced on construction of a road to the University following the granting of a road access permit along the Harare-Chegutu Highway.
Minister Chombo said Government would play its part in promoting ease of doing business by facilitating identification of at least 600ha of land for agriculture-related programmes.
GHU is a partnership between the SDA church and Chegutu Municipality, which provided 59ha of land for the university.
It will be a residential university opening opportunities for a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement.
Provincial Science and Technology Officer Mr Tichaona Mositafu said the university would help provide opportunities in the development of STEM courses.
