Vusumuzi Dube
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrives in Bulawayo this morning where he is expected to commission the US$17 million Bulawayo Students Accommodation Complex (BSAC) in Selbourne Park and the late Professor Makhurane Technovation centre before proceeding to cap 3 201 Nust graduands.
The imposing BSAC complex, built by the Infrastructure and Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), is self-contained as it has provision of fast food outlets, shops, salons, and sporting facilities and has capacity to accommodate more than 1 000 students. It is expected to be replicated in cities where there are universities, with Lupane expected to be the second beneficiary of such a facility.
Government, through the Public Service Commission’s Public Service Pension Fund, is a co-investor in this project alongside Old Mutual Life Assurance Company, Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), Motor Industry Pension Fund, Zimnat Nominees, and the Old Mutual Local Pension Fund Syndicate.
The state-of-the-art Professor Phineas Mogorosi Makhurane Technovation Centre, which languished at 60 percent completion for 15 years with independent contractors, was completed within two years in a development that reflects the Second Republic’s focus on university infrastructural development.
Today’s commissioning brings President Mnangagwa’s philosophy to fruition that no one and no place will be left behind as the country surges ahead with its pro-development strategy, a key enabler towards achieving an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
After commissioning the Technovation centre at the university campus, President Mnangagwa, Chancellor for all State Universities, will head to the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) for Nust’s 30th graduation ceremony.
The ceremony was moved from its usual campus venue in response to weather complications which could have disrupted proceedings at the open space.
From the Bulawayo engagements, President Mnangagwa is expected to fly straight to Victoria Falls city for the regional World Children’s Day celebrations at Baobab Primary School tomorrow.
Online Reporter