Story by Oleen Ndori
The first graduates to have been educated under the Education 5.0 model have been capped this Friday by the University of Zimbabwe’s Chancellor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It was a day of celebration as 6 778 graduates at the University of Zimbabwe, who were conferred with various degrees, 16 of which graduated with Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 11 with Masters in Philosophy and 5 319 with undergraduate degrees.
1 432 people also graduated with various postgraduate degrees.
The University of Zimbabwe’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Mapfumo celebrated the first graduating class under the Education 5.0 model that strives to merge academic and practical elements in finding solutions to challenges.
He said, “This year’s graduation is particularly special as we are celebrating the first University National cohort of graduates born out of the Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy. This marks the full cycle of implementation of new programmes launched in December 2020. The graduates are equipped with new skillsets and competencies that will offer knowledge and technology-based solutions tailored to meet the needs of your people.
“While able to re-imagine the future and address quantitative sustainability challenges, we are confident that we have the qualifications to be leaders in innovation markets and innovation space in pursuit of our nation’s industrialisation and quantitative decision-making. Since the introduction of our Transformative Futuristic Programmes, the demand for the use of SMEs and tools is continuing to soar.”
He outlined projects being undertaken by the University to not only improve income but also allow students to have a practical feel of their programmes.
“In the 2023-2024 academic year, the university has been focused on deepening its scholarship and increasing productivity of its research, innovation, industrialisation and ecosystem, while fostering quality assurance in its academic programming and administration processes in the context of the new Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy.
“Following the commissioning of three USAID agro-processing industrial plans in September 2023 by President Mnangagwa, the university seeks to optimise the productivity of the three plans. The plans, together with other university enterprises, are now producing over 67 various products, goods and services that are beginning to enter the market.
“Going forward, the university is developing an out-of-doors scheme with farmers in various districts of the country to further develop value chains, including sweet potato, soybean and maize, which are the raw materials for our agro-industrial processing plants. This will also provide the right market for our farmers. The university continues to prioritize research as an area of its research, innovation and industrialisation ecosystem,” added Professor Mapfumo.
Among those capped was ZBC board member, Dr Henry Mukono, who graduated with a Bachelor of Substantive Laws Degree and has expressed joy at finishing his journey.
“I am happy and I hope to put into practice my degree in my line of work,” said Dr Mukono.
ZBC News and Current Affairs Executive Producer Constance Mushayamano was capped with a First Class Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree degree and a book prize in Multi-lingual Communication Translation and Interpretation, while news presenter Raynald Ngwarati and picture editor Denmark Samuriwo in the ZBC News and Current Affairs department were also capped.
The graduation ceremony also saw the first graduates from the Pan-African Minerals University of Science and Technology, along with graduates from associate and affiliate colleges such as Chibero College of Agriculture, Gwebi College of Agriculture, Salvation Army Officer Training College, Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation as well as the ZESA National Training Centre, among others.
