MASVINGO — Vice President Kembo Mohadi was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences during Great Zimbabwe University’s (GZU) 19th graduation ceremony held in Masvingo on Thursday.

The prestigious accolade was awarded in recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development, leadership, and social transformation in Zimbabwe.

The event, which was officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, celebrated VP Mohadi’s long-standing commitment to public service and nation-building.

GZU officials described the honorary degree as a fitting tribute to his “impactful work in promoting community empowerment and sustainable national progress.”

This year’s graduation marked a historic milestone for GZU, with a record 3,477 students receiving their certificates and degrees — the largest graduating class since the university’s establishment.

Of these, 2,498 were undergraduates while 979 were postgraduates.

Women continued to dominate the academic landscape, making up 1,559 undergraduates and 562 postgraduates, reflecting GZU’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and empowerment in higher education.

Among the postgraduates, seven scholars were awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees — two women and five men — an achievement hailed by the university as a testament to academic excellence and perseverance.

In his address, President Mnangagwa, the Chancellor of all state universities, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for higher education, urging graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to advance Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation agenda.

The colorful ceremony concluded with a celebration of academic excellence, leadership, and innovation, cementing Great Zimbabwe University’s position as a key driver of educational and developmental progress in the nation.