By Rungano Dzikira
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Education at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) where he is also presiding over the graduation ceremony of 2 652 graduands.
The graduation ceremony also coincides with the university’s 25th anniversary and official opening of an innovation hub aimed at pioneering in DNA research, agriculture among other research systems.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the President expressed gratitude towards the doctorate and commended the University for channelling competitive graduates who are the bedrock of science and innovation in the country.
“We must all aim for functional education to improve quality of life and the country’s fortunes at large like what the university is known for. It is not a coincidence that NUST is in Bulawayo and stakeholders should leverage on its position as we thrive for vision 2030,” said President.
“Commissioning of the multipurpose innovation hub here at NUST, should streamline its programmes with a strong bias to science and technology.”
Of the graduands, six were conferred with doctorates, 378 masters, while the remainder graduated with bachelors’ degrees.
Officially opening the innovation hub at the same junction, President Mnangagwa said that such initiatives should develop and transform the country for the better.
“Under my administration, we felt we should move our education to a new level scientifically encapsulated under education 5,0. It’s possible through such innovation hub to develop and transform our country. We have faith in our young people. We have very bright young people in our institutions and the duty of our government is to support their innovations.
“Every single country has its own peculiar situation which requires us from that country to examine and develop our country,” said President Mnangagwa.
Officials at NUST also revealed that some of the innovations that will be taking part at the hub will include housing of software developers and a DNA lab.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Minister Prof Amon Murwira concurred saying that his Ministry had heeded President Mnangagwa’s call to have an education that provides goods and services.
“Ministry is implementing a heritage based education system where the country’s resources to develop the nation. Government has released $20 million for research in higher and tertiary institutions and so far it had released over $2 million to retain innovative students at UZ, who had completed their studies to complete their projects,” he said.
NUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Mqhele Dlodlo says the innovation hub shows Government’s commitment towards industrialisation of the country.
President Mnangagwa also officially opened NUST’s gatehouse before commissioning of the innovation hub.
The President was accompanied by Minister of State for Bulawayo Province Judith Ncube, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Prof Amon Murwira, Minister of State Security Owen Ncube and the Chairman of the NUST council Mabhena.
