Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
CHINHOYI University of Technology (CUT) Chancellor President Mnangagwa yesterday installed Professor Irvin Mpofu as the institution’s third Vice Chancellor.
The installation coincided with CUT’s 22nd graduation ceremony and celebrations to mark its 25th anniversary.
Prof Mpofu, who served as the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration for the past seven years, takes over from Vice Chancellor Professor Emeritus David Simbi, who retired last year.
He becomes the third substantive Vice Chancellor of CUT after the late Professor Charles Muchemwa Nherera, the institution’s founding Vice Chancellor, and Prof Simbi.
Prof Mpofu’s appointment comes as CUT continues to advance its Education 5.0 mandate, with a strong focus on research, innovation, industrialisation and commercialisation.
His work in research commercialisation was recognised with two Presidential awards for commercialised innovation and sustainable development at the 2025 Presidential Innovation Fair.
Introducing the new Vice Chancellor, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Permanent Secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira described Prof Mpofu as a distinguished scholar, innovator and academic administrator whose work has contributed to Zimbabwe’s development.
Prof Tagwira said Prof Mpofu had more than three decades of experience in higher education in Zimbabwe, Namibia and Rwanda, having held various academic and administrative positions.
Prof Mpofu contributed to the development of agricultural education, including the Advanced Level Agriculture curriculum, the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Management degree at Zimbabwe Open University and the Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and Technology degree at CUT.
He also served as founding Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Rwanda, Professor at the University of Namibia and Director of Research and Graduate Studies at CUT.
Prof Tagwira said Prof Mpofu’s research had been successfully commercialised through, among other innovations, the CUT Vitamin and Mineral Block Lick for cattle, sheep, goats and game.
The product is now being used by farmers across the country, with CUT producing the blocks in response to demand.
Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Frederick Shava said Prof Mpofu’s appointment came at a critical time as the country intensified efforts to use higher education to drive innovation and industrialisation.
“As you assume this responsibility, we look forward to your leadership in advancing research, fostering innovation ecosystems, strengthening industry partnerships and producing graduates equipped to drive Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation,” he said.
Prof Shava said Prof Mpofu’s leadership would contribute to the attainment of Vision 2030 and the transformation of Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society.
Speaking on behalf of the Zimbabwe Universities Vice-Chancellors Association, Prof Victor Muzvidziwa who is the Vice Chancellor of Midlands State University, congratulated Prof Mpofu on his appointment and commended his contribution to Education 5.0.
He said Prof Mpofu had demonstrated how university research could be transformed into intellectual property, industries and commercial products that benefit communities.
CUT Council chairman Engineer Martin Manuhwa described the appointment as a seamless transition that would ensure continuity, stability and progress at the university.
Dr Manuhwa said the achievements made by CUT were built on a strong foundation which Prof Mpofu was expected to consolidate and take forward.
“Professor Mpofu assumes office upon a strong foundation laid by our distinguished Emeritus Vice Chancellor, Professor Simbi, whose exemplary stewardship, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have firmly anchored CUT on a path of sustained growth and academic distinction,” he said.
Dr Manuhwa said the council was committed to supporting the new Vice Chancellor in advancing CUT’s strategic aspirations and positioning it as a university of choice in Zimbabwe and beyond.
“In this spirit of continuity and shared purpose, we stand united as one CUT family, fully committed to supporting our new Vice Chancellor in advancing the university’s strategic aspirations,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Prof Mpofu thanked President Mnangagwa for entrusting him with the leadership of the university and pledged to serve with humility, dedication and integrity.
He paid tribute to Prof Simbi, whom he described as a mentor whose seven-year tenure had provided a strong foundation for CUT’s continued growth.
Prof Mpofu also pledged to work closely with the Ministry, university council, staff, students and provincial stakeholders to advance CUT’s contribution to national development.
“Being installed as the third Vice Chancellor of CUT is not merely a professional milestone; it is a call to service, leadership and stewardship. I accept this mandate with dedication to the transformational vision set for our nation,” said Prof Mpofu.
ZICOSU president Define Mazvihwa said CUT’s Education 5.0 model provided a strong foundation for the attainment of Vision 2030.
Prof Mpofu’s academic journey began in Zvishavane, where he did his primary and secondary education.
He later obtained a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Zimbabwe, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the same institution.
In 1997, he obtained a PhD in Animal Science, specialising in Mineral Nutrition, from the University of Pretoria.
A prolific scholar, Prof Mpofu has more than 90 scientific publications, six books, four filed patents, four registered trademarks and four trade secrets to his credit.
He will serve as CUT Vice-Chancellor for a five-year term.
