adminthat the fund raising committee raised the funds after a successful dinner held recently.
He said US$113 000 was raised from ticket sales, US$7,2 million in pledges from the corporate world, civil society, the Diaspora and individuals while Government through Finance Minister Tendai Biti pledged to inject US$5 million.
This brings the amount to US$12,7 million.
Prof Mutambara said US$68 821 went towards expenses for the dinner, which was graced by former South African president Thabo Mbeki.
“This event was to acknowledge all the pledges, but we should continue to support the UZ so that it regains its status as a prestigious academic institution,” Prof Mutambara said.
He praised Zimbabweans for the pledges saying the initiative would also be spread to others not only academic institutions but critical sectors such as health.
“We want to ensure that the UZ is well resourced from there then we can go to NUST (National University of Science and Technology) and other universities, schools, hospitals and clinics.
“People of Zimbabwe have come together to raise nearly US$13 million to support the UZ. There is nothing impossible if people are driven by national interests,” he said.
He commended the private sectors and all who pledged support saying this was a strategic intervention but encouraged more donations to achieve the US$70 million target.
UZ Pro Vice Chancellor Business Development, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said the institution was overwhelmed by the support and would ensure the resources were put to good use.
“We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the support. We will put the resources to rebuild the institution to levels of yester-year,” Dr Munyanyiwa said.
MBCA Bank managing director, Mrs Charity Jinya, who is in the fundraising committee said: “There should be full transparency and the funds given should be properly accounted for.”
Another committee member who is also the TN Holdings chairman Tawanda Nyambirai, emphasised the need for transparency in handling the funds and called for an even distribution of the resources at the UZ.
African Sun chief executive officer, Dr Shingi Munyeza, another committee member also said there was need to invest in educational facilities.“We can have the
highest literacy rate when our institutions are in a deplorable state. We should begin to invest in educational facilities,” Dr Munyeza said.
Prof Mutambara, a former student at the UZ launched a series of fund raising activities under the theme “Strategic Framework for UZ” programme that involves
former students, the private sector, civil society, the Diaspora and Government pooling resources for construction projects, exchange programmes, professorships and the procurement of furniture.
The institution has been beset by a number of problems including staff shortages and strikes as well as water shortages that prompted authorities to shut down halls of residence, prejudicing thousands of learners.
Companies pledged between US$1 000 and US$1,6 million in support of the institution through scholarships, construction of a chapel, sinking of two boreholes, upgrading of the archives and records centre while others pledged to adopt different faculties and others recruitment of Diaspora based former students to offer free lectures among other things.
Online Reporter