Debra Matabvu
President Mnangagwa yesterday capped 2 385 graduates at the Zimbabwe Open University with the institution attributing its tangible achievements to various Government policies and measures aimed at spurring economic development.
The 23rd graduation ceremony comprised 1 217 female and 569 male undergraduates while 316 students graduated with master’s degrees.
In addition 13 graduates were conferred with PhDs while 191 were post-graduate diplomas and 79 diplomas.
President Mnangagwa
Of those who graduated, 294 were from critical skills programmes introduced to support Zimbabwe’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda. The critical skills degrees conferred included those in Engineering and Technology, Natural and Applied Sciences, Agriculture and Law.
President Mnangagwa also commissioned the university’s new Administration Teaching and Learning Building.
The graduation was held under the theme “Developing Human Capital through Heritage-Based Open and Distance e-learning”.
“Your Excellency allow me to move on to the Early Childhood Development Centre of Excellence in Epworth which we are developing in partnership with the Angel of Hope Foundation,” he said.
In his keynote address ZOU Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Gundani said the university’s various achievements stem from the policies introduced by the Second Republic over the past few years.
“Our graduates are a testament to your Government’s heritage-based education 5.0 policy rooted in human capital development under the National Development Strategy NDS1, which is coming to an end at the end of this year and we look forward to ushering in NDS2 as 2026 begins,” he said.
He said various projects being implemented by the students seek to spur socio-economic development of the country.
“I am personally proud of the civic responsibility that they demonstrated throughout the year.
President Mnangagwa cuts a ribbon to officially commission an Administration,Teaching and Learning block at ZOU main campus in Hatcliffe, Harare, yesterday.
The President reads a plaque after officially commissioning the Administration,Teaching and Learning block at ZOU main campus in Hatcliffe, Harare, yesterday
“Their community initiatives not only demonstrate their dedication to service community upliftment and campus improvement but prepare them to become active citizens who will contribute to the country’s development.
“Indeed they exemplify the benefits of the heritage-based Education 5.0 doctrine which you yourself have championed since the dawn of the Second Republic in 2017.”
The 23rd graduation ceremony comprised 1 217 female and 569 male undergraduates while 316 students graduated with master’s degrees.
Prof Gundani outlined a number of the university’s achievements during the year noting that initiatives such as the establishment of new companies and an agro-industrial park were designed to enhance education and foster entrepreneurship.
“Your Excellency allow me to move on to the Early Childhood Development Centre of Excellence in Epworth which we are developing in partnership with the Angel of Hope Foundation,” he said.
“Embracing new ideas and transforming education is a vital part of the Zimbabwe Open University and I am pleased Your Excellency to inform you that ZOU has established a clothing company trading in ZOU clothing and textiles. This strategic initiative aims to enhance students’ practical skills and foster entrepreneurship by providing a real-world training platform,”
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