By Simbarashe Muparaganda
Bulawayo, (New Ziana) — The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has recorded a rise in student enrolment, with the proportion of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields remaining strong as the institution deepens its innovation and industrialisation agenda.
NUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo said this on Thursday during the university’s 32nd graduation ceremony, presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where 2 570 graduands received certificates and degrees.
The graduating class comprised 1 362 men and 1 208 women, including 293 who attained distinctions or first-class degrees.
Five Doctoral candidates were among the cohort, while sixty five students received awards.
Three students graduated posthumously.
The class included 19 international graduands from Botswana, Eswatini, Mauritius and Zambia, as well as 3 graduands living with disabilities.
A further 212 graduands were from NUST-affiliated institutions.
“Student enrolment had increased from 11 432 to 13 352, while female participation had risen from 46 percent to 47 percent, reaching 52 percent during the August 2026 intake.
He noted that government support for female STEM students, coupled with university policies aimed at gender parity, was widening access for girls and young people.
“NUST is graduating 2 570 students this year, with 68 percent attaining STEM qualifications. Of the graduates, 47 percent are female and 53 percent male,” the Vice Chancellor said.
Prof Dlodlo said the university had also strengthened its academic staffing, increasing the number of full and associate professors from 44 to 63 despite continued staff attrition challenges.
In line with the National Development Strategy(NDS) 2 and the Education 5.0 policy, the Vice Chancellor said, the institution introduced five new programs targeting emerging skills needs namely Medical Laboratory Sciences, Geography and Environmental Science Education, Construction Management, Applied Information Science and Technology, as well as Publishing and Media Technology.
He highlighted student innovations and national recognition earned by the institution, including NUST’s gold medal in the education and training category at the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
Prof Dlodlo added that the university was pursuing high-impact projects in medicinal cannabis research, mining technology, geothermal energy exploration and agro-industrial development.
“NUST’s agro-industrial park in Umzingwane district, Matabeleland South, is now 95 percent complete, with infrastructure projects including a seven-kilometre water pipeline and storage dams underway.
“Graduation is not only the completion of a qualification, but the beginning of a contribution,” Prof Dlodlo said, urging graduates to turn knowledge into solutions, innovation into enterprise and challenges into opportunities.
Prof Dlodlo also congratulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the government of Zimbabwe for securing a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, describing it as a major diplomatic milestone.
He further hailed Zimbabwe’s upcoming assumption of the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) for the 2026-2027 term.
“Zimbabwe’s securing of a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is a major diplomatic milestone.
“It validates the country’s re-engagement agenda, amplifies Africa’s voice on global security and elevates Zimbabwe’s influence in multilateral decision-making.
“We also congratulate you, Your Excellency, on Zimbabwe’s upcoming assumption of the COMESA chairmanship for the 2026–2027 term.
“This places the country at the centre of regional economic leadership, strengthening its diplomatic leverage and regional integration strategies,” Prof Dlodlo said.
New Ziana
