Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
THE University of Matopo is awaiting the greenlight from Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) to ascertain if they can start enrolment for the first cohort of students.
The university, an initiative of the Brethren in Christ Church (BICC), was supposed to meet specific guidelines set by Zimche, including establishing a governing body and developing the necessary physical infrastructure, by January this year.
In an interview giving an update, University of Matopo Trust chairman, Professor Henry Sibanda, said despite the 12-month provisional period, they managed to meet some of the guidelines.
“We submitted an update to Zimche of what has taken place basically against the guidelines we were given. We have appointed the University Council with nine members to start off with and Zimche allows up to 15 members of the council,” he said.
He said they were to appoint other relevant members of the council with time as they add more programmes to the ones currently proposed that include Bachelor of Science (BSC) Honours in Agriculture, BSc Honours in Computer Science and Cyber Security, Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours in Theology and Philosophy, Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Master of Business Administration.
Prof Sibanda said the recommended principal officers for the university were submitted to Zimche in December 2025 with a proposed interim operational budget.
He added: “The campuses of the university which included the headquarter at Matopo, Mtshabezi and Wanezi will now also have Bulawayo to make them four. Budget for immediate buildings for Mtshabezi Campus is US$490 000.”
“For Matopo Campus based on the targeted US$200 000, planned expenditure include main university pre-construction phase (Topo-surveys master plan, Architectural drawings) US$20 000, clearing and pegging and approval of plans US$7 000, foundation construction US$60 000 and walls US$113 000.”
The university project was conceptualised in 2000 but faced financial hurdles that delayed its launch for 24 years. However, its board is now confident that the prevailing economic environment is conducive to its successful roll-out.
