Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
Bulawayo Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday capped 69 graduates at Gwanda State University in Matabeleland South Province, which continues to record significant strides in upgrading learning infrastructure, harnessing modern technology and widening its curriculum to attract increased enrolment.
Ministers, senior Government officials, traditional leaders and relatives were among scores of invited guests who witnessed the colourful ceremony held at the university campus at Epoch Mine in Filabusi, Insiza District.
Of those graduating, 12 were from the Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture while 57 were from the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, with 18 females and 51 males.
In her report presented to President Mnangagwa, who is the Chancellor of all State universities, GSU Vice Chancellor Professor Doreen Zandile Moyo, highlighted impressive progress being made in transforming the university into a formidable academic training centre.
“Gwanda State University continues to be seized with the refurbishment programme with regard to the construction of new buildings. The Engineering Laboratory and Innovation Complex super structure has reached 100 percent completion,” she said.
“Funding has been availed to equip and furnish the laboratories and this process has reached an advanced stage.
“Substantial progress has also been achieved in the construction of the Agro-Innovation Complex, which now stands at 85 percent completion,” said Prof Moyo.
She paid tribute to the Government, through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, for its solid support in the construction of projects at GSU.
The young university has fully embraced the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education standards and global benchmarking since it inherited facilities from Epoch Mine in Insiza District, and enrolled its first students 10 years ago.
Established in 2016 by an Act of Parliament (Chapter 25:30), graduating from a College of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), GSU’s primary campus is a sprawling over 80 acres in Gwanda along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway.
Epoch Mine in Filabusi serves an annex campus where students, staff and university management are based.
Prof Moyo said the university continues to strengthen its administrative, management structures and systems through the filling of critical leadership and management positions that enhance administrative efficiency and effectiveness.
“The university has made significant strides in its digital transformation journey aimed at strengthening its ICT infrastructure, enhancing service delivery and aligning with regulatory frameworks,” she said.
“GSU also successfully applied for and obtained a Data Controller Licence. This milestone underscores the university’s commitment to safeguarding personal data, ensuring privacy and strengthening trust in its digital systems.”
In line with strengthening its digital systems the higher educational institution has developed an electronic voting system that enabled students, including those off-campus and on industrial attachment, to remotely participate in campus elections.
“The innovation fostered greater participation and marked a significant step in building a resilient digital ecosystem within the university. A new student executive council (SEC) was elected into office using this electronic voting system,” said Prof Moyo.
To nurture entrepreneurial skills across all its programmes, she said the university encourages students to look beyond conventional career paths and explore innovative ventures that address local challenges, create job opportunities and drive economic growth.
“The Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture students participated in agricultural field days and water conservation workshops.
“The Agro-Innovation Hub and Industrial Park that has cattle, goats, poultry and crops such as wheat under centre pivot irrigation provides real-world learning platforms,” said Prof Moyo.
Guided by the Heritage Based Education 5.0, GSU has established a breeding beef herd of 213 cattle, 328 Matabele goats, 5 000 broiler and 5 000 layer chickens and 20 hectares of land with centre pivot irrigation.
During the graduation ceremony President Mnangagwa was charmed by the outstanding achievements of Faith Ruramai Muchena (25), who graduated with a First Class Degree in the Bachelor of Science Honours in Animal Science and gifted her with US$1 000 in cash.
Muchena was awarded the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award and walked away with US$1 000 for being the overall best graduating female student.
She also walked away with US$400 for being awarded the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award with the most innovative research project in the Department of Animal Production and Health.
Muchena also took home the AFC floating shield for best graduating student in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture as well as the AFC floating shield for the best graduating student in the Department of Animal Production and Health.
Each award was US$200.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe also sponsored Muchena’s award for best graduating student across all faculties, an award worth US$100 among six other awards.
In her remarks, Muchena said she was elated that her hard work was rewarded and dedicated the awards to her family that supported her educational journey.
“I lost my father when I was young. My mother and aunts have been very supportive financially and I would not have graduated if it was not for their unwavering support since I enrolled at GSU,” she said.
“Our lecturers and university management also played a huge part in my academic career and I look forward to the next chapter of my life,” said Muchena.
