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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE country’s first private university, Africa University (AU), has launched a School of Law, with 20 students undergoing their matriculation yesterday as the first cohort of law students at the institution.
The School of Law at AU, which becomes the fifth institution after University of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University and ZEGU to offer LLB programmes, recently received accreditation from Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, Law Society of Zimbabwe and the Council of Legal Education.
Speaking on behalf of Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira, his deputy, Raymore Machingura applauded AU for introducing learning areas that dovetail into Government’s vision.
“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 causes the capabilities to produce goods and services for the attainment of the national vision.
“The Government of Zimbabwe appreciates the work being done by Africa University in running with the President’s vision. Africa University continues to shine with the introduction of new and relevant programmes in our nation,” he said.
AU Vice Chancellor, Reverend Professor Peter Mageto, urged the pioneer stream to fit into the Africa University values.
“Your integrity should be beyond reproach. Academic excellence means being facilitated with all the support necessary that is intertwined in knowledge and piety for skills so desired in our continent.
“This is well informed by considering the role of law in Vision 2030, where we see your cohort within the first cohort of law professionals, who will bring the bar and the public engagement, empowerment and enrichment for the transformation of humanity.
“The academic excellence at AU is also informed as especially within the School of Law in sinking Africa Union Agenda 2063 where law remains the backbone in shaping Africa’s master plan which is transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
“For every key outcome, law is required; hence our desire for your cohort and other cohorts to follow is to think about the following outcomes; improvements in living standards; transformed, inclusive and sustainable economies; integrated Africa; empowered women, youth and children; well-governed, peaceful and cultural-centric Africa in a global context,” he said.
The introduction of the School of Law at AU coincides with the United Methodist Church-run institution’s 30th anniversary this year.
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