Story by Tafara Chikumira
The Chancellor of Midlands State University (MSU) President Emmerson Mnangagwa has capped over 6 000 graduands at the institution’s 25th graduation ceremony held at the Gweru campus this Thursday.
53 percent of the graduates were female, a sign that the institution is closing the gender parity gap in skills development.
The day also witnessed 18 graduands from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences being the first group to graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at MSU.
MSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa highlighted the institution’s Education 5.0 Model strides which have seen innovators addressing societal needs.
“I am excited to highlight that one of our young innovators has developed modularised units for chlorine production; by so doing, this innovative mind is tackling one of the most pressing challenges we face; access to clean water. The project has attracted government funding, and I am proud to report that work is currently underway to upscale production of these valuable units, which will initially serve the Chirumhanzu community utilising water from the recently commissioned Holy Cross Dam.
“We are addressing the challenge of food security by developing decision support simulation tools based on scientifically validated indigenous/traditional and conventional knowledge for increasing agricultural production and food security in Zimbabwe in the context of climate change which has resulted in extreme weather conditions that affect agricultural productivity. This is useful to both smallholder and large-scale farmers in cropping decision-making, thereby contributing to the broader national objective of food security.
“We have also developed a low-cost liquid bio-fertilizer for vegetable production in Gweru urban as a contribution to urban food security. We are committed to cutting-edge research that impacts our communities in the area of health and well-being. To this end, one of our scientists, Dr Makanga, is leading an investigation of the impact of poor air quality on maternal and new born health across Africa. The research leverages on machine learning and satellite derived pollution indicators, that seek to discover new insights on how pregnant women and their babies are at elevated risk, for poor health outcomes because of air pollution,” he said
ZBC employees including Matabeleland South Bureau Chief Providence Maraneli, Central Radio producer/ presenter Sibusiso Dube, Loreen Chiriseri from the finance department as well as Msin News anchor Tariro Manamike, were among the graduates.
Other graduates from the national broadcaster include Welford Mapupu and Linah Nyika from the engineering department.
“It was quite a journey as I had to juggle between work and studies. I barely had time to relax as all sides were demanding. However, I feel great that at least it has indeed come to an end. I might consider going for a PHD after this masters, but for now I will need to rest while pondering the next move,” said Manamike.
“Its refreshing that the Second Republic has taught us to be business people in our own right. This country will only develop if we happen to have enough entrepreneurs who can create employment. It is the future and vision 2030 is indeed achievable,” said a graduate.
“I am happy that I have managed to achieve this feat. I am now looking forward to new opportunities which are usually accompanied with achievements of such nature,” added another.
Celebrated artist Albert Nyathi also graduated with a Master of Philosophy Degree in Ethnomusicology.
The Second Republic has adopted the Heritage-based Education 5.0 Model which has seen the country producing some of the finest innovators and researchers who are coming up with simplified products that are solving societal problems.
