Story by Yolanda Moyo
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has capped more than 100 students at the 3rd Gwanda State University Graduation ceremony held in Filabusi this Friday.
Gwanda State University (GSU) celebrated its third graduation ceremony this Friday at an event presided over by the institution’s Chancellor President Emmerson Mnangagwa who conferred degrees to 126 graduates from various disciplines.
The event, held at Epoch Mine Campus in Filabusi, marked another significant milestone for the institution.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Doreen Moyo highlighted the university’s growth, noting the institution’s focus on addressing societal challenges through research and innovation.
“Our comprehensive approach to human capital development emphasizes entrepreneurship, community engagement and industrialization. By nurturing entrepreneurial skills across all our programmes, we encourage students to look beyond conventional career paths and explore innovative ventures that address local challenges, create job opportunities and drive economic growth. With regard to the construction of new buildings, I am happy to report that the Engineering Laboratory and Innovation compels has reached 98 percent completion and funding for the few remaining works has already been released. Funding has also been availed to commence the equipping of the laboratories which will be done in phases. Substantial progress has also been achieved in the construction of the Agro-Innovation complex which now stands at 75% completion,” she said.
The establishment of the learning institution in Gwanda as a stand-alone university, has brought positive development in the surrounding communities.
“The university works very closely with surrounding communities. One notable collaboration has been with agricultural enterprises, where our researchers and students work alongside local farmers to develop climate resilient farming practices. The university has come up with promising innovations which have the potential of attracting investment and partnership with local and international investors. The university working with ZENT developed a solution that cuts the national import-export defiant developing an all local production line for transformer bushings that will eliminate the need to import the product from abroad,” she added.
Having started off as a college affiliated to the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Gwanda State University has 3 faculties out of the envisaged 7 with new programmes set to be introduced next year.
The shining star at the third graduation ceremony was Senzelweyinkosi Ngwenya who was awarded 14 accolades.
“We are grateful for the knowledge and skills we have acquired here at GSU. The practical experience we gained has equipped us to face the challenges of the real world. We are confident that we will make a positive impact,” she said.
Gwanda State University specialises in animal science, engineering and environmental sciences driven by the Heritage based Educational 5.0 philosophy.
