President Mnangagwa caps record 8 300 MSU graduands

Gweru (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday capped over 8 300 students at the 24th Midlands State University (MSU) graduation ceremony at its Gweru main campus.

Out of the 8 332 graduands, 54.1 percent were females while 203 Honours graduands graduated with first class passes and 75 Masters graduands had distinctions, merits, and awards.

The oldest graduate was 65-year-old Gladys Mukandapi who graduated with a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Development and Child Protection while the youngest graduate was 21-year-old Terry Nobuhle Banda, who graduated with an Honours degree in Food Science and Technology.

Some prominent people who graduated include retired High Court Judge Martin Makonese and musician Sandra Ndebele.

The graduates were products from the MSU campuses in Harare, Zvishavane, Bulawayo, and Gweru.

Vice Chancellor Muzvidziwa said the university research and innovation drive is gaining momentum measured by the level of research activities and innovation endeavours within the institution and community at large.

The graduation was held for the first without founding vice-chancellor Professor Ngwabi Bhebe, who died recently and was declared a national hero.

Addressing the gathering, MSU vice-chancellor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa said the congregation, the biggest in the history of the university, bore testimony of Professor Bhebe’s great contribution to founding and shaping the institution.

“Through our Research and Innovation Division, facilitation of technology transfer, protection of intellectual property, and an enabling environment for commercialisation of produced goods and services in the University have taken root and are thriving,” he said.

Some of the cutting-edge innovations include the wireless road traffic lights project, the manufacturing of sodium hypochlorite and chlorine for water purification.

Professor Muzvidziwa said the institution had made positive strides towards nurturing global linkages with universities in Cote d’lvoire, Botswana, Malawi and Asia.

New Ziana