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Chronicle Reporter
GWANDA State University has started enrolling students for its first intake ahead of the 2014/15 academic year beginning in September.
The new university will operate as a college of the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) based at Epoch Mine premises in Filabusi.
Nust’s director of information and public relations Felix Moyo said GSU was ready to roll and had started inviting applications from prospective students.
“Enrolment has started and we are hoping that when Nust opens for the start of its academic year they will also open,” said Moyo.
Nust normally begins its academic year in late August to early September.
Moyo said GSU will operate under the guardianship of Nust until it was fully established.
“Until it receives its own charter to operate as a university it will be called Gwanda University College of Nust. Nust is responsible for the university college that is in Gwanda. All its applications are to be processed at Nust,” he said.
“There is nothing unusual with this. That is how universities are established. Nust was also involved in the establishment of Lupane State University as University of Zimbabwe was also involved in the establishment of Nust.”
Moyo said the institution would change its name after receiving its charter. The new university will offer degree programmes in the faculties of Life Sciences and Engineering.
Moyo said the degree programmes were suitable for the needs of Matabeleland South province. Among the degrees on offer is the Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Animal Husbandry, Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Minerals and Mining Engineering.
In September last year the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education condemned GSU’s proposed premises at Gwanda Show Grounds and advised that the institution uses Epoch Mine in Filabusi.
Dr Sikhulumani Bayeza Mangena is the designate Vice-Chancellor for the new university.
Online Reporter