President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday capped 3 757
graduands at the Midlands State University (MSU)’s 18th graduation ceremony at
the university campus in Gweru.
The event coincided with the installation of Professor
Victor Muzvidziwa as the substantive vice chancellor of the university. Prof
Muzvidziwa had been Acting Vice Chancellor since 2016 when the university’s
founding Vice Chancellor, Professor Ngwabi Bhebe retired.
Among the graduates were four who attained PhDs, 458
masters’ degree students and 3 295 undergraduate students. Commander Air Force
of Zimbabwe, Air Marshall Elson Moyo also graduated with a Masters in
International Affairs.
Presenting the graduands to the President who is the
Chancellor of the university, Prof Muzvidziwa said 53 percent of them were
female.
“Your Excellency, and Chancellor, today I present to you 3
757 graduands. Of these 1 979 are female and 1 778 are male,” he said.
Prof Muzvidziwa said MSU has grown to become one of the
best universities in the country, churning out competent and first class
graduates.
“True to its purpose MSU has consistently pursued
excellence. As of 1 July 2018 MSU has been ranked number 90 out of 1 687
African universities by the Webometrics ranking system. In the previous year we
were at position 164,” he said.
Prof Muzvidziwa said the university has continued raising
the country’s flag high through its innovation and research programmes.
He said the university’s improved ranking has seen it
receiving more grants for research from across the world. “Your Excellency and
Chancellor, allow me to salute academic staff for research excellence which has
contributed to our improved ranking. Our externally funded grant portfolio has
thus grown significantly this year. We have so far received $545 000 as grants
for research,” he said.
Prof Muzvidziwa also thanked President Mnangagwa for having
faith in him by installing him as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the
university. He pledged to work hard to help the higher and tertiary education
institution contribute to the President’s vision of turning the country into an
upper middle income economy by the year 2030.
Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired),
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister,
Professor Amon Murwira and State Security Minister, Owen Ncube were among the
top dignitaries and senior Government officials who accompanied the President
to the event.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa yesterday installed
Professor Ngonidzashe Victor Muzvidziwa as substantive vice chancellor for
Midlands State University following the retirement of Professor Emeritus Ngwabi
Bhebe.
The President, who is also MSU Chancellor, installed Prof
Muzvidziwa at the institution’s 18th graduation ceremony at the main campus in
Gweru.
In his acceptance speech, Prof Muzvidziwa said he was
humbled by the appointment.
“Your Excellency and Chancellor, I assume leadership of
this great university at a time when the new dispensation has dawned upon our
country. MSU is well positioned to give impetus to your vision of turning
Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy by 2030. MSU seeks to innovate in
order to support the industrialisation and modernisation of our beloved
country. The history of MSU inspires me and its future is guaranteed. It has
been a short 18 years and yet MSU has grown phenomenally from humble beginnings
with 400 students at inception in 2000 to over 24 000 in 2018. MSU is now a
fully fledged multi-campus university spreading its wings from Gweru to Harare,
Zvishavane, Bulawayo and Kwekwe thereby increasing access to quality higher
education especially for those in continuing –life long education,” he said.
Professor Bhebe was appointed the first Vice Chancellor of
Midlands State University in 1999 and retired in 2016. Herald
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