By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) — President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the Chancellor of all State Universities, on Friday capped 7 132 graduates at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) during its 45th graduation ceremony, as the institution reaffirmed its growing role in research, innovation and national industrialisation.
The graduates received Doctor of Philosophy, Master’s, undergraduate and diploma qualifications across a wide range of disciplines, including Arts and Humanities, Business Management Sciences and Economics, Engineering and the Built Environment, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Veterinary Sciences.
Women accounted for 53 percent of the graduating class, while men constituted 47 percent.
The ceremony was held under the theme: “Critical Human Capital for Zimbabwe’s Industrialisation and Competitiveness,’ reflecting the emphasis of the university on producing graduates capable of contributing to the economic transformation of the country.
Addressing guests at the gruaduation ceremony, UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo said the institution had undergone significant transformation since 2019, positioning itself as a centre for research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
“The radical transformation we have undergone since 2019 has positioned the university as a leader in the delivery of relevant research and innovative solutions, supported by its substantial human capital and entrepreneurial mindset to drive Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda,” he said.
He said the UZ programs were increasingly focused on developing graduates with practical skills that could contribute to production, entrepreneurship and industrial development.
“As an institution, our programs are increasingly equipping graduates with critical thinking, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills, while preparing them to contribute to the production of goods and services and the country’s industrialisation agenda,” he said.
Prof Mapfumo also highlighted major infrastructure projects that the university undertook, particularly the Industrial Incubation Hub in the Msasa industrial area of the capital and the Specialist Medical Centre in Avondale, which were President Mnangagwa commissioned in July.
The two facilities are part of the university’s efforts to translate the government Education 5.0 philosophy into tangible products, services and commercial ventures.
“These facilities advance the government’s Education 5.0 philosophy towards industrialisation, the commercialisation of research and the modernisation of specialised medical care,” Prof Mapfumo said.
He said the Industrial Incubation Hub was designed to assist UZ-linked start-ups move from academic research and prototypes towards commercial production.
“It features technical infrastructure and machine-prototyping equipment and hosts companies operating in sectors including agriculture, energy, health, ICT and engineering,” he said, adding the incubation facility is supporting 11 start-up companies across sectors such as agriculture, energy, engineering, ICT, pharmaceuticals, health and transport.
Prof Mapfumo said the Specialist Medical Centre was similarly contributing to the university’s broader health and training mandate with services including eye care, oral health, assisted reproduction and emergency care.
He said the developments reflected the university’s wider transformation during the 2025/26 academic year, with increased emphasis on research, innovation, commercialisation and stronger links between academia and industry, adding the UZ had continued to deepen its scholarship while strengthening its position as a leading higher education institution in Zimbabwe.
During the academic year, the university hosted its annual Research, Innovation and Industrialisation Week, which focused on strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to commercialise innovations emerging from the university.
“We exceptionally showcased student-led innovations during the Research Week and celebrated the inaugural Alumni and Friends Marathon. Further to that, we exhibited breakthrough green-energy, waste-reclamation and mining-technology solutions, finishing strongly at national industrial exhibitions,” Prof Mapfumo said.
The university also recorded achievements in sport and staff wellness, finishing first overall at the July 2026 Chancellor’s Staff Games in Masvingo after winning 14 gold medals across several sporting disciplines.
Professor Mapfumo described the inaugural Alumni and Friends Marathon as another milestone that strengthened the relationship between the university, its alumni and the wider community.
The UZ research credentials were also highlighted through its position as Zimbabwe’s highest-ranked institution in the 2026 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), where it was ranked first nationally and 1 764th globally.
Meanwhile, the graduation ceremony featured several notable graduands from the political, legal and media sectors including Bikita South legislator Energy Mutodi who received a Master of Laws in Constitutional and Electoral Law, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for Presidential Communications George Charamba who graduated with a Master of Arts in African Economic History and Knowledge Systems, Harare lawyer Arnold Nyamunokora, who received a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Governance, and former Herald editor Caesar Zvayi who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree.
The latest graduation comes as the UZ continues to expand its research, innovation and commercialisation programs, as it is increasingly expected to contribute directly to the government industrialisation drive through the production of skills, technologies, goods and specialised services.
New Ziana
