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Harare Bureau
President Robert Mugabe yesterday capped about 1,500 graduates from Bindura University of Science Education following successful completion of their studies in various disciplines.
The graduates completed studies at different levels of education from diploma through to the doctorate level from the university’s four schools, namely Faculty of Science Education, Faculty of Education and Environmental Science, Faculty of Commerce and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the university’s campus, Vice Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje said this year’s graduates were almost double the number that graduated last year, half of whom read science programmes. “I’m also glad to report that the number of students graduating from science disciplines constitutes 53 percent of the total number of students graduating this year,” said Prof Mwenje.
He attributed the increase in the number of graduates in science subjects to various strategies employed by the university in the past five years which encouraged students to take them up.
Prof Mwenje congratulated the graduates for working hard during the course of their studies, but implored them to utilise their skills accordingly.
He said today’s world was characterised by rapid technological and informational change where knowledge frontiers were shifting on a daily basis.
“Use the knowledge and skills that you acquired for the upliftment of humanity,” said Prof Mwenje. “We encourage you to be innovative, creative and enterprising.”
Prof Mwenje said obtaining a degree should be the beginning of an educational initiative. “These are your first significant steps up the ladder,” he said. “We expect to see you again as you pursue your post graduate studies.”
Chronicling some of the university’s research achievements, Prof Mwenje said work was going on to develop anti-venoms against two deadly snakes, the cobra and the puff adder.
He said the university was also setting up systems to report and monitor fire outbreaks starting with national heritages such as the Great Zimbabwe.
He said the systems, which are satellite based, report on outbreaks of fire on 15 minute lapse real time basis.
Prof Mwenje applauded the government for taking on some of the university’s products of research such as the innovative water harvesting technology implemented in the smallholder farming areas of Marange recently.
He said in addition to the technology, they also modified standard contour ridges into tied contours, resulting in a significant increase of maize harvests.
“Such research has a direct positive impact on food security which is an important aspect in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset),” said Prof Mwenje.
He appealed to the government to assist the university to complete some infrastructural developments, some of which were started as far back as 2013.
These include the construction of lecture rooms, library and girls hostels.
Mashonaland Central governor Martin Dinha and Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora were among the dignitaries who attended the graduation ceremony.
Online Reporter