Maravanyika now substantive vice chancellor

Runesu Gwidi in MASVINGO
Renowned academic Professor Obert Maravanyika has been installed as the substantive Vice Chancellor for the Reformed Church University (RCU).

He becomes the university’s second substantive Vice Chancellor after succeeding Professor Wiseman Magwa, who resigned last year.

Reverend Isaac Pandasvika was installed as RCU’s Chancellor taking over from Reverend Dr Rangarirai Rutoro, who also stepped down.

Speaking at the installation ceremony of Prof Maravanyika and Rev Pandasvika recently, which also coincided with RCU’s fourth graduation ceremony where 151 graduates from the faculties of Commerce, Education and Social Sciences were capped, Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education chief executive Professor Kuzvinetsa Peter Dzvimbo expressed optimism on RCU’s future fortunes.

He said he was extremely confident that Prof Maravanyika would take RCU to higher academic heights.

“ZIMCHE has abundant faith that the two, Reverend Pandasvika and Professor Maravanyika will spearhead exponential academic growth of the RCU,” said Prof Nzvimbo. “It is our anticipation, as ZIMCHE that the RCU would maintain the highest degree of academic excellence.

“ZIMCHE implores the RCU to foster heritage-based inclusive education, which values human capital for socio-economic development, as encapsulated in the 2030 national vision and the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).”

“ZIMCHE would like expresses gratitude to the Reformed Church of Zimbabwe (RCZ) board and the RCU’s senate for religiously adopting educational policies put in place by the Second Republic,” said Prof Dzvimbo.

In his acceptance speech Prof Pandasvika thanked ZIMCHE for supporting the institution’s academic growth endeavours.

“ZIMCHE deserves special thanks for its unwavering support of the RCU’s academic endeavours and vesting authority in me to collectively run the institution with my fellow professors,” he said.

He is doing a Doctoral Degree in Theology with the University of Cape Town.

Prof Maravanyika is a holder of a PhD in Curriculum Analysis and is a veteran researcher and educationist who worked for several institutions of higher learning and has sat on numerous academic boards over the years.

“Notwithstanding the limited resources, it is our endeavour as the university to grow academically from time to time,” he said.

Prof Maravanyika said RCU would soon hold a workshop to roll out its five-year strategic plan from 2020 to 2024 .