NEW: 720 graduate at Africa University

 

Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter

 

A TOTAL of 720 Africa University (AU) students from across 18 countries graduated this morning during a colourful physical ceremony at the institution’s campus as the world tries to adjust back to the old normal in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

This was after the institution held two consecutive virtual graduation ceremonies over the past two years because of the pandemic.

 

Speaking at the institution’s 28th graduation ceremony, Vice Chancellor for AU, Reverend Professor Peter Mageto thanked the graduates for their persistence despite the hard times that came with the pandemic and urged them to keep practising spiritual self care and service to humanity.

 

“I commend your brilliant persistence both on and off campus during the past two years. Your agility and drive to keep working hard despite the hard Covid-19 times is what has brought you here today. You remained on course to achieve your goals and I commend you for that,” said Rev Prof Mageto.

 

He said the university continues to illustrate its commitment towards the acceleration of the pan-African transformation spirit.

 

Rev Prof Mageto said the university remains proud as it continuously takes intentional steps towards empowering the girl child on the continent as evidenced by the percentage of females that were capped during the ceremony.

 

59.4 percent of the graduates were female while 40.6 were males.

 

Speaking at the same event, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science Innovation and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira urged the graduates to contribute meaningfully to the African continent.

 

“In order to inspire leadership transformation in Africa, we have to abandon an education design that is meant for a defeated people and that is what was done here at Africa University. Now as you go into the world, remember that you are the true custodians of the African continent and that you have the choice of building it or ruining it. Whatever you do, know that the continent’s future is in your hands,” he said.

Prof Murwira urged the graduates to give back to Africa its values and dignity that it had been stripped of by ensuring its independence.