Raymond Jaravaza in LUPANE
A WAVE of jubilation and accomplishment ripped through Lupane State University yesterday when 1 558 graduates from different faculties, among them politicians, traditional leaders, corporate world executives and young academics, were conferred with degrees by President Mnangagwa.
There were 1 011 undergraduate students consisting of 449 males and 562 females.
The Master’s Degree category had 186 graduates consisting of 93 males and 93 females, while 53 attained post-graduate degrees.
A total of 263 graduated with special honours degrees — 128 males and 155 females.
A total of 263 graduated with special honours degrees — 128 males and 155 females.
The day started on a high note with groups of graduands spontaneously singing and dancing under the shade of a large tent while eagerly awaiting President Mnangagwa’s arrival at the main campus in Lupane, Matebeleland North Province.
The LSU choir and the Zimbabwe National Army band did not disappoint, with each group entertaining the crowd with fine-tuned performances before combining for a joint performance.
The graduates, family and friends, could have easily mistaken this for a well-choreographed act that was put together after days of rehearsals.
Official proceedings kicked-off when President Mnangagwa arrived at the venue of the 16th graduation ceremony accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava, former Cabinet minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni and others.
In his report to the President, who is also Chancellor of all State universities, LSU Vice Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa, said this year’s graduation was special as it marks 20 years since the university first enrolled its first cohort of 12 students.
“The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development availed ZIMDEF funds, amounting to US$800 000 to the university that have allowed us to advance the Tech Innovation Centre construction project.
“Work on the project is in full throttle and the posting of concrete for the slab is ongoing. We appeal for continued financial support for the project so that we relocate students and staff from Bulawayo as soon as possible,” said Prof Kuipa.
“The university continues to expand its programme offering within its mandate areas, with a keen focus on student-centred learning, research, innovation and industrialisation.
“There is a deliberate effort by the university to anchor student learning around the production of goods and services, continuous community engagement and applied research that provides solutions to community and industry challenges.”
Prof Kuipa said the university has partnered with the Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust to support 22 students to develop their ideas into profitable businesses.
President Mnangagwa congratulates Zanu Pf Bulawayo Province secretary for security Cde Emmanuel Sunduza awarded the Chancellors award and the LSU Book Prize.
“The partnership aims to equip students with hands on business management and entrepreneurial skills in order to address agricultural challenges and drive informed decision making,” he said.
“The projects under incubation include mushroom production, fisheries, piggery, food preservation, herbal plants gardening and the use of ICTs in crop production.”
One of the LSU innovations, said Prof Kuipa, that has attracted interest from farmers is the Avian Artificial Insemination initiative, which facilitates cross breeding of chickens, thereby maximising the strengths of various genetic characteristics in certain chicken breeds such as high growth rate, high carcass weight and disease resistance.
“The university is also working with the Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa Project (COHESA) to valorise medical waste into biogas and manure at St Luke’s Hospital in Ward 19 of the Lupane District,” said Prof Kuipa.
“The biogas facility at St Luke’s provides cooking gas for a 300 capacity ward for waiting pregnant mothers thereby avoiding the need for these mothers to fetch firewood in the surrounding Gwayi forestry reserve.”
He said the Lupane community has set up waste collection centres, where waste such as plastics and papers is collected and sorted out for recycling or reuse thereby creating opportunities for youths and women whist addressing health and environmental challenges posted by uncollected waste within the area.
“The Lupane State University continues to transform livelihoods through its community-based innovation projects. Community members are directly benefiting from the potable water reticulation system and community gardens,” he said.
Among the graduates was Chief Dakamela from Nkayi District, Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson for business development Cde Brian Samuriwo, Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe public relations manager Mr Mqhele Tshuma, Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial secretary for security Cde Emmanuel Sunduza, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi and several former Zimpapers’ interns.
Top performers included Primrose Prestigious Dube who graduated with a first class Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Animal Science and Rangeland Management.
Top performers included Primrose Prestigious Dube who graduated with a first class Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Animal Science and Rangeland Management.
She was awarded the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award (US$1 000) for being the best overall graduating female student, the Hwange Colliery Company Limited Award for the best graduating student in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, the Old Mutual Prize for the best graduating student in Animal Science and Rangeland Management as well as the Profeeds Award for the best student in Animal Nutrition.
Dube also bagged the Vice Chancellor’s Award and the LSU Book Prize.
It was a family affair for sisters, Nomathamsanqa Chirowamangu, who graduated with a Master’s Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, and Zanele Sibanesihle Mpofu, who graduated with a Master’s Degree in Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
Nomathamsanqa was also awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award and the LSU Book Prize.
Dumisani Munkuli graduated with a first class Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Economics and was awarded the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award (US$1 000) for the best graduating male student.
He was also awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Award and the LSU Book Prize.
Former Zimpapers intern Prince Ngwenya received the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Award (US$500) for the most community impact, from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
