Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
AT least 515 graduates from various disciplines received their degrees today at the ninth Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) graduation ceremony in Bindura.
The bulk of the graduates, 352, were women, while the balance of 163 were men.
Addressing graduates and dignitaries, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda, announced that all universities, both public and private, have been directed to review their academic programmes.
Courses that do not contribute to the production of goods and services will either be dropped or imported.
“The Ministry is emphasising the re-orientation of research programmes towards the production of goods and services,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.
“A modern education system must lead to industrialisation and modernisation.”
He said the Government has shifted from Education 3.0, which focused on teaching, research, and community engagement to heritage-based Education 5.0.
This new model introduces two additional pillars: innovation and industrialisation.
ZEGU Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Chirisa, said the university’s strategic plan (TSP 2023-2028) is geared toward expanding academic offerings to meet market demands.
“Our goal is to increase student enrolment – both local and international – and to invest in infrastructure and ICT systems,” said Prof Chirisa.
“We are emphasising quality teaching, learning and impactful research.”
