President Mnangagwa Caps 126 Graduates at Gwanda State University

by | Nov 22, 2024 | Latest, Local News | 0 comments

Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa

Filabusi –  His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who is also Chancellor of all State Universities, presided over the third graduation ceremony of Gwanda State University (GSU) today at the Epoch Mine Campus in Filabusi. The ceremony, held under the theme “Accelerating Industrialisation and Economic Transformation Through an Enlightened Skill Base, for the Attainment of Vision 2030,” saw 126 graduands capped across two faculties.

The graduating class comprised 112 students from the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, with 66 graduating in Mining Engineering, 28 in Metallurgical Engineering, and 18 in Geomatics and Surveying.  The Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture contributed 14 graduates, with seven each from the Departments of Animal Science and Crop Science, respectively.

Panashe Ngirande, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Mining Engineering program, encouraged fellow female students to pursue careers in male-dominated industries.  “To my fellow female students that want to get into male-dominated industries, you don’t have to be afraid, or be told that you cannot do it,” she said. “What a man can do, females can also do.”

Ngwenya Senzelweyinkosi, who graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Animal Science, was the star of the ceremony, receiving numerous awards for her outstanding academic achievements.  She was awarded the prestigious Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award of USD 1,000 for the overall best graduating female student and another USD 500 for the most innovative research project in the Department of Animal Science.  Her accomplishments also earned her the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize, the University Book Prize, and the Nurture Imvelo Trust Prize.

Senzelweyinkosi further swept the awards sponsored by the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), receiving USD 200 and a floating shield for being the overall best graduating student in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture, for the best innovative project in the faculty, and for the best graduating student in the Department of Animal Production and Health.  She also received recognition as the best graduating female student in the faculty.

Adding to her impressive list of accolades, Senzelweyinkosi received the Agriseeds Prize and the Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Prize, along with a floating trophy for being the overall best graduating student across all faculties.

The graduation ceremony highlighted GSU’s commitment to contributing to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 by producing graduates equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive industrialization and economic transformation.  The success of students like Ngwenya Senzelweyinkosi underscores the university’s focus on fostering innovation and excellence in its academic programs.