Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
TERTIARY institutions continue to play a critical role in human capital development, with more than 600 students graduating from Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) during its 10th graduation ceremony held in Bindura on Friday.
The ceremony was marked by celebrations as graduates reflected on their academic journeys and expressed optimism that their qualifications will open doors to employment and career advancement.
Many of the graduates said they were eager to apply their newly acquired skills in the workplace and contribute to national development.
“I was doing social work, and I am looking forward to using my degree to improve my life,” a graduate said.
“I view this degree as a stepping stone to improving my life, and I am not stopping here. I plan on doing my degree programme,” another graduate said.
“I was studying for a degree in social work. It is all about helping people, and I hope to change the lives of people out there,” a student said.
Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Chirisa, highlighted the institution’s achievements, saying the university remains aligned with national aspirations towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy.
“This year’s graduation is being held under the theme ‘Driving entrepreneurial unlocking the value of commodities and services, holistic economic growth and transformation’. This theme is about promoting entrepreneurship, industrialisation to grow Zimbabwe’s economy with Education 5.0 thrust and the National Development Strategy 2,” he said.
The graduation comes at a time when Government is intensifying efforts to ensure tertiary institutions drive innovation, entrepreneurship and industrialisation as part of the broader development agenda.
