Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
PRIDE, joy and plenty of emotion filled the air at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Thursday when a Bulawayo family celebrated a moment few families ever experience. On the same day, on the same graduation stage, a father and his son collected their qualifications, turning what would already have been a memorable occasion into a remarkable family milestone.
Dr Costa Musandipa, a lecturer in NUST’s Department of Financial Engineering, graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Finance. Moments later, his son, Prince Musandipa, crossed the stage to receive a First Class Bachelor of Science Education Honours Degree in Computer Science.
For the Musandipa family, it was a proud celebration of two academic journeys reaching important milestones at the same time. What made the occasion even more special was Prince’s outstanding academic performance. He graduated with a weighted aggregate of 84 percent and achieved 23 first-class passes out of the 24 modules he studied.
His exceptional results earned him the Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Prize for Overall Best Male Undergraduate Student, valued at US$1 000. He also received the NUST Book Prize, Professor Nduduzo Phuthi’s Prize for the Most Consistent Top Performing Student in the Faculty and the ZIMDEF Prize for Best Performing Male Student.
As Prince collected award after award, his father watched proudly from among the graduates. For Musandipa, however, the day was equally significant. His graduation marked a historic achievement as he became the first person to graduate with a PhD in Finance from NUST since the institution was established in 1991.
He also graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary and Higher Education.
“I’m so much happy to be the first in the family and the first to reach PhD level. Also, since the formation of NUST in 1991, I’m the first to graduate with a PhD in Finance and also to graduate at the same time with a postgraduate diploma in Tertiary and Higher Education,” he said.
The doctoral journey had not been easy, but Dr Musandipa said it had been rewarding and enriching.
“At NUST, the process has been very vigorous and we gained a lot of skills in the financial environment,” he said.
His research examined financial architecture and the impact financial systems have on the quality of life in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Yet despite celebrating a landmark achievement of his own, much of his attention on the day was focused on his son’s success.
“It’s a family graduating on the same day. It’s a rare occasion where a son graduates together with his father. I am happy he scored the highest distinction, receiving a rare award from His Excellency Dr E.D. Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” said Musandipa.
For Prince, sharing such a significant moment with his father made the occasion even more memorable.
“First, I want to thank His Excellency the President Mnangagwa and also the NUST Vice-Chancellor. I feel honoured to receive this precious award. I want to thank everybody,” he said.
While Musandipa’s graduation marked the culmination of years of academic research and study, Prince’s achievement signalled the beginning of what promises to be a bright professional career in computer science.
Their story also highlights the power of education within families. A father who has dedicated much of his life to learning and teaching stood side by side with a son who has already distinguished himself as one of the university’s finest undergraduate students.
