MSU students shine on international arena

GWERU – Midlands State University (MSU) raised the country’s flag high on the regional and
international arena after its students scored major successes thereby demonstrating the institution’s
human capital development mandate.
Speaking at the 23rd MSU blended graduation ceremony at the Gweru main campus recently, MSU
Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa said achievements scored by the students on the
international arena was a result of the institution’s mandate of providing students with
opportunities to demonstrate their scientific knowledge and talents.
He said students and alumni from various disciplines continued to excel locally and internationally
which was an endorsement of the calibre of brand MSU.
Maureen Gumbo, a Doctor of Philosophy student from the Department of Chemical Technology in
the Faculty of Science and Technology, recently represented the university and Zimbabwe in world
competitions held in Berlin. She was a finalist at that global platform.
Students from the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science and Technology won
the Presidential Best Innovator award at the Young Innovators Forum during the 2022 Zimbabwe
International Trade.
Another student Gift Gwawawa made history by becoming the first Rhodes scholar to come out of
MSU.
The Faculty of Law was crowned the national champions in the International Humanitarian Law
Moot Court competition held at the High Court in Harare. The team represented Zimbabwe in the All
Africa IHL Moot Court competition in Tanzania last month.
The Faculty of Law moot team was crowned 2022 African champions in the Space law court
competition organised by South African Space Institute. The team proceeded to represent the
African block at the Manfred Lachs World Space law moot court competition held in Paris, Francis.
The team reached the semi-finals and it is ranked number three in the world, thus outpacing law
schools from the global north with established space programmes.
“As part of the law school’s contribution to human capital development, the future of space law in
Zimbabwe is indeed bright. But not only that, our law alumni now occupy strategic positions in the
Judicial Services Commission and our courts of law,” said Prof. Muzvidziwa.
Meanwhile, as part of its responsibilities to communities, MSU hosted the Gender Conference
graced by First Lady Dr. Auxilia Mnangagwa. The conference was on combating sexual harassment at
tertiary education institutions.
The Centre for Public Policy and Devolution hosted a public lecture titled: “Unpacking Economic
Devolution in Zimbabwe: Gearing Sub-national Governments for Economic Development,” which
was delivered by Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo.

The MSU National Language Institute together with Higherlife Foundation, engaged in a nationwide
Sign Language Teacher Capacitation Short Course programme.
In May, the MSU National Language Institute translated Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural
Development documents into Shona and Ndebele.
Vice Chancellor Muzvidziwa announced that MSU has revised its curriculum and in July launched
new degree programmes across all faculties.