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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday capped a total of 2 001 students who graduated with degrees at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) during the university’s 19th graduation ceremony. The graduates were drawn from the Faculties of Applied Sciences, the Built Environment, Commerce, Communication and Information Science and Industrial Technology.
The colourful ceremony began at about 11am when President Mugabe, who is the Chancellor of all State Universities, led the academic procession into the Ceremonial Hall where the graduands, their friends and relatives were waiting.
The President was escorted by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, her deputy, Dr Godfrey Gandawa and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Washington Mbizwo.
Also present were the Minister of State responsible for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and former Nust Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phineas Makhurane.
Out of the 2 001 students who graduated, 1 326 were under-graduates, 672 post-graduates two of them posthumously while an additional 204 students were awarded diplomas and post-graduate diplomas in different disciplines.
Of the under-graduates 38 percent were females and 62 percent males while for the post-graduates, 35 percent were females and 65 percent males.
There were also graduates in degrees which were being awarded for the first time which include Masters of Science in Radiography, Master of Science in Information Systems, and Bachelor of Science Special Honour Degree in Electrical Engineering, which was offered in collaboration with Kwekwe Polytechnic.
Among the graduates were Chronicle correspondents, Thandeka Moyo and Bongani Ndlovu who received Bachelor of Science degrees in Journalism and Media Studies and Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo who graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Disaster Management.
In his report, Nust Vice-Chancellor Professor Lindela Ndlovu said the university is fulfilling its mandate since its establishment in 1991, with one key area of the institution’s founding principles being innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We are glad that at least a third of our graduands are post-graduates. We hope to see even more, including PhDs in the future. This is indeed in line with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development policy that we should engage more and more in post-graduate training to improve research capacity in the country,” he said.
Prof Ndlovu said Nust won a number of accolades this year and commended former students for raising the institution’s flag high.
The students won the CBZ BOOST Challenge Award for Entrepreneurship for setting up a company called NeoLab.
The occasion was marked by captivating musical interludes from the Nust choir and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) band.
Earlier on President Mugabe was met at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Cde Andrew Langa, Zanu-PF Bulawayo chairperson Professor Callistus Ndlovu and several senior Government officials.
Online Reporter