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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is moving towards reducing the 92 percent skills deficit in the country’s law sector and the opening of Africa University’s School of Law is part of the efforts to address the yawning gap, a Cabinet Minister has said.
The United Methodist Church-run institution recently launched its School of Law with 20 students undergoing their matriculation on Monday.
The AU School of Law, which becomes the country’s fifth institution to offer the LLB programme after University of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University and ZEGU, was recently accredited by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, the Law Society of Zimbabwe and the Council of Legal Education.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira; Deputy Minister Raymore Machingura applauded AU for introducing learning areas that dovetail with Government’s vision.
“Government appreciates the work being done by Africa University in running with the President Mnangagwa’s vision. Africa University continues to shine with the introduction of new and relevant programmes.
“According to the national critical skills audit of 2018, law had a deficit of 92 percent. We applaud Africa University for introducing the law school. Human capital development is an important aspect in the industrialisation and modernisation agenda of our nation.
“Through the introduction of the Law Degree at Africa University and the contribution of the other universities already offering law degrees, we look forward to a reduction in the profession’s skills gap,” he said.
“Government is working hard to ensure that the country has adequate skills in the law profession. We are constructing the Emmerson Dambudzo Law School at the Midlands State University’s Kwekwe campus. Our national vision as enunciated by President Mnangagwa is to become an upper middle class society by 2030.
“As we move towards the attainment of this vision, the President has directed higher and tertiary education institutions to take their rightful place of delivering an education system that enables us to attain the national vision,” said the minister.
AU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Mageto urged the pioneer stream to follow the institution’s values.
“Your integrity should be beyond reproach. Law remains the backbone of Africa’s master plan of transforming the continent into the future’s global powerhouse.
“Every cohort should think about improvement in living standards, inclusive and sustainable economies, an integrated Africa, empowered women, youth and children, as well as a peaceful Africa,” said Prof Mageto.
The opening of the Law School coincides with the institution’s 30th anniversary this year.
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