Online Reporter
Judith Phiri-Zimpapers Writer
THE University of Matopo is awaiting approval from the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) before commencing enrolment for its first cohort of students.
The institution, which is an initiative of the Brethren in Christ Church (BICC), was expected to meet a set of requirements issued by Zimche within a 12-month provisional period ending in January this year.
These included the establishment of a governing council and development of the requisite physical infrastructure.
In an interview yesterday, University of Matopo Trust chairperson, Professor Henry Sibanda, said while not all the conditions had been fully met, significant progress had been made and an update had since been submitted to Zimche.
“We submitted an update to Zimche outlining progress made against the guidelines provided. We have appointed a University Council with nine members to start with, and Zimche allows up to 15 council members,” he said.
Prof Sibanda said additional council members would be appointed as the university expands its academic offerings. Proposed programmes include Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture, BSc Honours in Computer Science and Cyber Security, Bachelor of Arts Honours in Theology and Philosophy, Postgraduate Diploma in Education and a Master of Business Administration.
He said the recommended principal officers were submitted to Zimche in December last year, together with a proposed interim operational budget.
The university will operate from four campuses — Matopo, Mtshabezi, Wanezi and Bulawayo.
“The campuses include the headquarters at Matopo, Mtshabezi and Wanezi, with Bulawayo added as the fourth campus. The budget for immediate construction at Mtshabezi Campus stands at US$490 000,” said Prof Sibanda.
He said for Matopo Campus, a projected US$200 000 budget has been set aside, covering pre-construction activities such as topographical surveys and architectural drawings (US$20 000), clearing and pegging of land (US$7 000), foundation construction (US$60 000) and wall construction (US$113 000).
According to Prof Sibanda, Mtshabezi Campus will host the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Health Sciences/Medicine, while Wanezi Campus will house the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Mining and Engineering.
Matopo Main Campus will accommodate the Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The Bulawayo Campus, operating through the Theological College of Zimbabwe (TCZ), will focus on parallel programmes, including evening and weekend classes, where feasible.
Prof Sibanda said funding had already been mobilised to continue infrastructure development at Mtshabezi Campus, with a site master plan produced in August last year following the completion of topographic surveys.
“The 10-office administration block at Mtshabezi is under construction, while construction of staff accommodation is scheduled to begin in February 2026,” he said.
Prof Sibanda added that an application for an extension of the provisional charter was submitted to Zimche in December in response to four conditions attached to the charter, which expired last month.
The University of Matopo project was first conceptualised in 2000, but was delayed by financial constraints for more than two decades. However, the board is now confident that the current economic environment will support the institution’s successful launch.
