President Mnangagwa yesterday conferred 3 927 with various
undergraduate and post-graduate degrees at the University of Zimbabwe and
installed Professor Paul Mapfumo as the fifth Vice Chancellor of the
institution.
The graduates were drawn from nine faculties of the
university with 3 132 graduating with Bachelor of Science Degrees, 760 with
Master’s Degrees, 23 with Doctor of Philosophy and 12 with Masters of
Philosophy.
Officiating at the function, Prof Mapfumo said the
university had come up with several initiatives to ensure it plays a role in
the national development and attainment of the national vision 2030. “The
university has since last year intensified its focus and energies on a
transformative reconfiguration of our programming, our internal governance
system, strategic partnerships, delivery methods and skilled human capital
development all in in the contest of becoming a true leader in delivering on
Government education 5.0 framework in pursuit of a clear national vision 2030.
“We are much awake to the responsibilities that Government
and society at large expects from the university,” he said.
Prof Mapfumo said the university remained indebted to the
President for launching its strategic plan 2019-2025 that enables the
institution to pursue its vision of being recognised as the centre of
excellence in research and innovation in higher education and training by 2025.
“Our strategic plan provides scope for deepening technical
skills and technological capabilities enabling creation of a new generation of
innovative specialists and practitioners,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor said the university had for the first
time established different key posts to improve service delivery and made
strides in different areas including the farm which realised a meaningful
production despite last year’s drought.
“The university has registered seven new companies
including Vakanyika Private Limited, Incuhub Pvt Ltd and Njere Pvt Ltd that
will serve as holding companies for subsidiary entities that will come from
discoveries and products developed under research and industrial framework,” he
said.
Prof Mapfumo said the university was going to introduce
several other new academic programmes and retire some so that it remains
relevant.
“The university has strengthened its partnerships and
collaborations with the private sector which has seen it receiving several
donations and financial support in different sectors.
“Demand for student accommodation continues to be a
challenge and the university is in serious discussions with external investors
to construct hostels. There are companies that have offered models that we are
considering and our objective is to have at least 50 percent of the student
population housed at the campus,” he said.
Prof Mapfumo said his installation as Vice Chancellor is
critical as it comes at a time when the country is charting new transformation
making universities more critical in developmental issues.
“Today is indeed a special day in my life it is a day so
significant to me, my family, friends and comrades who are here today to
witness the commencement of my new journey and new chapter in my life as the
5th Vice Chancellor of this citadel of Higher and Tertiary Education. This
marks a whole new beginning in my professional career,” he said. Herald
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