adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE gradual relocation of Lupane State University from Bulawayo to its Lupane campus will begin next month, starting with students in the Faculty of Agricultural Science.This was said by the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development, Dr Godfrey Gandawa, on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony at the United College of Education yesterday .
Dr Gandawa said government wants to increase access to education in Matabeleland North province, hence the decision to relocate.
“At the moment our priority is to increase access to education in the province. Our major target is to make sure that students relocate to Lupane.
“After they relocate we can look into the issue of teachers and vocational training centres because Matabeleland North is the only province without these facilities,” said Dr Gandawa.
He said the Faculty of Agricultural Science, which is the first faculty the institution launched, would be moved in September and the envisaged relocation would see Lupane growing into a university town.
Dr Gandawa said he was saddened by the death of the institution’s acting Vice Chancellor Dr Mclean Mackson Bhala describing it as a major setback for the institution.
“You know that our acting Vice Chancellor passed on and I hope his death will not become a hindrance to the proposed plans,” he said.
Meanwhile, a family spokesperson Moses Mzila Ndlovu, said Dr Bhala, who died on Monday after succumbing to a heart problem, would be buried in Thekwane, his rural home in Plumtree tomorrow.
“He will be buried on Sunday morning at Thekwane at 7AM. His body will leave Nyaradzo Funeral Services tomorrow (today) at 1PM for a church service that will be held at Methodist Church in Barham Green. From there his body will be taken to his house Number 11, Brahms Road, Barham Green where it will lie in state and at 4AM we will then travel to Thekwane for burial,” he said.
derick.khumalo