Debra Matabvu
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE Open University Chancellor, President Mnangagwa, yesterday presided over the university’s 24th graduation ceremony, capping 2 729 graduates.
The university reaffirmed its commitment to boosting socio-economic development by expanding access to higher education through distance learning. Graduates received doctorates, master’s degrees, undergraduate degrees, and diplomas across diverse fields, including Agriculture and Science, Commerce and Technology, Education, Arts, Culture, and Heritage and Applied Social Sciences.
Top-performing students received cash prizes under the Dr. ED Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Awards in recognition of their outstanding academic excellence.
Prosperity Mbadzo, who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, was named overall best female student and received US$1 000. Welcome Phiri, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematics and Statistics, was named overall best male student and also received US$1 000.
Recipients of the Dr ED Mnangagwa US$500 cash prizes included Cheneso Chimunhu, who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, and Ordeal Tanyaradzwa Karisa, who graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology Honours.
The ceremony was held under the theme, “Advancing human capital for Vision 2030 through open, distance and flexible learning.”
Speaking at the ceremony, ZOU Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Henry Gundani said open and distance learning remained critical in broadening access to higher education and developing the human capital needed to achieve Vision 2030.
He said the model enabled the university to reach learners across geographical and socio-economic boundaries while translating academic training into community innovation and sustainable growth.
“This theme underscores our unwavering commitment to broadening access to higher education by breaking down geographic, temporal and socio-economic barriers in the country and beyond,” he said.
“By leveraging flexible learning pathways, the university reaches working professionals, remote communities and non-traditional learners across the nation and beyond our borders, ensuring that high-level skills development aligns directly with the milestones set out in Vision 2030.
“Through open, distant, flexible learning, academic training translates immediately into community-led innovation, local industry support and sustainable economic growth.”
Prof Gundani said ZOU continued to contribute to the country’s Education 5.0 agenda through research, innovation and community service, producing graduates who could contribute to economic growth and job creation.
He said guided by their strategic plan and the national development agenda, the university remains committed to producing graduates who are not merely seekers of employment, “but job creators, innovators and responsible citizens”.
