Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
CHINHOYI University of Technology (CUT) Chancellor President Emmerson Mnangagwa has 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 on Wednesday.
Prof Mpofu served as the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration for the past seven years and is taking over from Emeritus Vice Chancellor Professor 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.
His work in research and commercialisation was recognised with two Presidential awards for commercialised innovation and sustainable development at the 2025 Presidential Innovation Fair.
Prof Mpofu contributed to the development of agricultural education, including the Advanced Level Agriculture curriculum, the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Management degree at thevZimbabwe 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.
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 of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, university council staff, students and provincial stakeholders to advance CUT’s contribution to national development.
Prof Mpofu’s academic journey began in Zvishavane were 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, he 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.
