4899 capped at GZU

Date:

SHANNISE DZOBO

MASVINGOPresident Mnangagwa capped 4899 graduates at Great Zimbabwe University on the 17th graduation ceremony at the institution’s main campus last week on Friday.

Female graduands constituted 64.5% up from 61% last year and a total of 1224 were postgraduate students with 58% of them being female up from 52% last year.

The President physically capped 196 distinction and award recipients with 148 undergraduates, 40 Masters, two Masters of Philosophy and six Doctors of Philosophy.

Sandra Tatenda Ndere, Bs Hon Crop Science and Wonderful Chada B. Com Hons Hospitality, Tourism and Culture scooped the Chancellor’s Award with each receiving US$1000.

Four undergraduate students and two postgraduate students with first-class degrees also received US$500 each.

Out of those capped last week, 4 301 were undergraduates and 635 were postgraduates.

The graduates were drawn from six faculties which are Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Julius Nyerere School of Social Sciences, Munhumutapa School of Commerce, Robert Gabriel Mugabe School of Heritage and Education, Herbert Chitepo Law School and School of Natural Sciences.

The institution currently has an enrollment of 16 300 students with 13 979 being undergraduate while 2 331 are pursuing postgraduate studies.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo highlighted several developments at the institution enabled by the Education 5.0 model which include the registration of nine trademarks with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), agro-innovations and infrastructure development projects.

“This year, we made significant progress in promoting the natural sciences to address gaps identified in the National Skills Audit of 2018. The Simon Mazorodze School of Medical and Health Sciences enrolled its first cohort of students. We also introduced new programmes to narrow the gap in agriculture, engineering, science and technology,” said Professor Zvobgo.

Professor Zvobgo however expressed concern over drug and substance abuse saying it has become a menace among students although the university is coming up with various measures to address the issue.

“This year, we lost some of our staff and students and what is more heart-wrenching was the loss of some students due to suspected drug and substance abuse complications,” he said.

The graduates are looking forward to a bright future as they chart a new course.

“We are excited today that we completed our studies. As an individual I’m looking forward to contributing significantly towards the growth of our country in the agriculture sector,” said a graduate.

“Today, I am saying to fellow graduates, let us go and be torch-bearers in our communities. The knowledge we have benefited will go a long way in ensuring community development,” said another graduate.

Great Zimbabwe University is among tertiary institutions contributing to national development through projects such as the Great Zimbabwe University Community Radio and the Chivi Centre for Dryland Agriculture.

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