President caps 484 at Lupane varsity

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday capped 484 students who graduated with degrees and diplomas at Lupane State University’s fifth graduation ceremony, an increase from 190 who graduated last year.

The Faculty of Commerce presented graduands from the Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Accounting and Finance as well as Bachelor of Honours Degree in Human Resources for the first time.

Of the 484 graduands, 51.1 percent were females.

In her report, the acting Vice Chancellor Dr Gertrude Nyakutse, said she was happy to announce that the university had experienced growth in terms of student enrollment.

She said the growth had resulted in an acute accommodation shortage.

“We had 12 students at inception and today, we’ve 3,040. Resources permitting, it’s our wish that the entire university relocates to the Lupane campus,” she said.

Dr Nyakutse said it was the university’s priority to provide accommodation for both students and staff as well as other facilities to enable the university to relocate to its permanent home.

She said as part of its contribution to employment creation, the university was equipping its students with entrepreneurship skills.

“We’ve incorporated entrepreneurship modules in all degree programmes in order to help our graduates to get into industry                 with an orientation towards employment creation.

“We’re also pursuing a hunting concession for both commercial activities and supporting student practicals,” she said.

Dr Nyakutse appealed to the government to allocate more resources to the university to enable it to complete the many projects under construction.

“I urge you graduates to make good use of the investment we made in you as the government, university, parents and spouses. Shun corruption and go to all corners of the country and serve Zimbabwe as loyal patriots,” she said.