Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
BINDURA University of Science Education (BUSE) this Thursday conferred degrees on 2 115 students, marking a milestone as the institution celebrates its 25th anniversary. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, serving as Chancellor, presided over the 24th graduation ceremony.
The ceremony reflected the university’s evolution from a specialised science teacher training college into a comprehensive public university contributing to Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and national development agenda.
Among the jubilant graduates were ZBC News Reporters, Peter Chivhima and Wellington Makonese, together with Classic 263 Producer Presenter Natasha Mhandu who attained Masters of Science in International Relations degrees.
“I am happy, it was not an easy road but today I say Ebenezer. This qualification comes at a time when the country’s policy is saying, ‘Friend to all and enemy to none, so I will utilise that in my profession,” Chivhima said.
“I am thankful to God for obtaining this degree and it was not a walk in the park being a mother and being a woman, but this was something I always wanted to achieve and I am glad I did it,” Mhandu said.
Another notable graduate was the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Polite Kambamura who attained a Master of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability with a distinction.
Paidamoyo Chitate was pleasantly surprised after graduating as the best female student with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources.
She was awarded the Chancellor’s Award of US$1 000.
“I am so happy for graduating and more so with several awards which I never expected to receive. I am yet to decide what I will do with the prize money but I am thinking of investing in a plantation,” she said.
BUSE Vice Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje chronicled the university’s developmental strides since inception as a specialised teacher training college to a full-fledged university in 2000.
“This year’s ceremony is extra-special in that it falls in the year of the University’s silver jubilee. Bindura University is 25 years old now. This, therefore, is not just an occasion to celebrate the past year’s achievements, but to reflect on the broader role that the university has played in educating the nation of Zimbabwe. It is also an opportunity to evaluate our contribution to the academic, social, cultural and economic life of our country. BUSE has evolved from a specialised science education teacher training college into a dynamic and comprehensive public university which is central to Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.”
The event was dominated by females who constituted 52 percent of the graduates.
Among the graduates were three who studied for Doctorate degrees, 405 masters graduates, 25 students with postgraduate diplomas and 1 332 who attained undergraduate degrees.
