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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
GWANDA State University (GSU) has been officially launched and is expected to open its doors in September.
Officially launching GSU in Gwanda Town on Friday, Matabeleland South Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku said the university would initially operate as a university college of the National University of Science Technology (Nust) as it awaits the enactment of its Charter.
The university would have degree programmes under the Faculties of Mining Engineering and Life Sciences.
“The degree in Minerals and Metallurgy shall benefit the nation as it shall enable the country to process most of its mineral ores as opposed to export them raw.
This is inline with the call by President Mugabe that mines should establish refineries locally so as to benefit the country. This will also create employment,” said Governor Masuku.
The university is also expected to introduce the Faculty of Humanities and Earth Sciences in the near future.
Governor Masuku challenged the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture to come up with strategies to improve the local schools’ pass rate in science and mathematics subjects so that more locals could benefit from the university.
“I would be most pleased if a higher number of students are local. Not because they are local but because they meet the entry requirements,” she said.
Governor Masuku called on the corporate world to complement Government efforts in supporting the university through the provision of accommodation.
“I plead with the Gwanda community to accept students seeking accommodation by charging them fair rentals as they are our own children,” she said.
Governor Masuku said steps were being taken by the Government to support disadvantage university students.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Washington Mbizvo, said the ministry had purchased a bus for the university and would avail more funds to support the setting up of the university structure.
The Municipality of Gwanda donated 87 hectares of land towards the construction of the university.
A 2 500ha farm has also been availed to the university in Insiza District while Epoch Mine also in Insiza, would serve as a university college.
The idea to set up a university in the province was mooted in 2004.
Online Reporter