Beatrice Imbayago
BINDURA – President and Chancellor of all State Universities, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, conferred degrees and diplomas on 2,371 graduates during the 25th Graduation Ceremony of Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) at Chawagona Campus, Mashonaland Central Province.
The graduates included 1,265 females (53.3%) and 1,106 males (46.7%), with five earning doctorates, 21 receiving Postgraduate Diplomas, 249 receiving Diplomas, 396 awarded Master’s Degrees, and 1,700 earning Undergraduate Degrees.
The BUSE graduation ceremony was held under the theme, “Positioning the University for the Effective Delivery of the National Development Strategy 2 and the Realisation of Vision 2030.”
BUSE Vice Chancellor, Professor Eddie Mwenje, encouraged graduates to be innovative and create jobs.
“As you leave, remember you are equipped not just with a certificate, but with knowledge to create your own opportunities. You have been prepared to solve problems, not just to seek jobs. There is no shortage of challenges that need solutions,” he said.
“Every unsolved problem in this country is a job waiting to be created. Some of you will discover these opportunities; some of you will define them. Don’t wait for greatness—start being useful now.”
Professor Mwenje praised the university for advancing the Heritage-based Curriculum 5.0 through Pulpo technologies, which provide ICT access to students in marginalised areas.
“We have supplied schools in Binga and have received requests from other SADC member states. A tablet assembled in Bindura, now in the hands of a child in Binga, perfectly illustrates the impact of Education 5.0,” he said.
Professor Mwenje also announced plans to begin manufacturing Pulpo technologies components that are currently imported.
“To assemble is not the same as to manufacture. Importing finished circuit boards means importing someone else’s ideas. With the new surface-mount technology line, we will soon mould our own casings and print our own boards. By the first quarter of next year, we aim to produce in Zimbabwe 50% of what we currently import. That’s the difference between a country that assembles and one that builds,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor applauded the high female enrollment at the institution, noting that women outnumbered men among the graduates.
“Of today’s 2,371 graduates, 1,265 (53.3%) are women. Your Excellency, for several years, women have outnumbered men at this podium—it is now the norm at Bindura,” he noted.
Bindura University Student Representative Trevor Ncube encouraged fellow graduates to become entrepreneurs and create jobs.
“As we step into the world, let’s become entrepreneurs and create our own jobs, so we avoid falling into drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maravanyika Rachel, who earned a Bachelor of Communication Science Honours Degree, was recognised as the best female student.
She received the Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award and a cash prize of USD 1,000 for being the Best Graduating Female Student.
She also received the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for obtaining a First-Class Degree and for being the Best Graduating Student in her Programme, as well as prizes from Bindura Municipality, GeoAssociates, CBZ, Royal Flair, and ZB for her outstanding achievements.
Artwell Goboza, who graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science Honours Degree in Crop Science, was named the best male student.
He received the Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Cash Prize of USD 1,000 for being the Best Graduating Male Student, as well as the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for obtaining a First-Class Degree and for being the Best Graduating Student in his Programme. Additional honours included the University Book Prize, Honourable Matangira Prize, Agrarian Floating Trophy, CBZ Holdings Cash Prize, Royal Flair Cash Prize, ZB Cash Prize, and Honourable Minister Christopher Magomo Cash Prize for his outstanding achievement.
