This Friday marked a historic occasion at the University of Zimbabwe as the institution celebrated its first graduating class under the pioneering Education 5.0 model. The ceremony, presided over by the University’s Chancellor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saw 6,778 graduates conferred degrees, including 16 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 11 Masters in Philosophy, and 5,319 undergraduate degrees. Additionally, 1,432 graduates received various postgraduate degrees.
The Education 5.0 model, introduced in December 2020, emphasizes integrating academic knowledge with practical applications to address real-world challenges. This year’s graduation is the culmination of the full cycle of this innovative educational approach, which aims to produce graduates equipped with the skills and competencies needed to tackle national and global issues.
University of Zimbabwe’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Mapfumo, praised the significance of this milestone. “This year’s graduation is particularly special as we celebrate the first national cohort of graduates born out of the Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy. Our graduates are now equipped with knowledge and technology-based solutions tailored to meet the needs of our people,” Professor Mapfumo remarked.
The Vice-Chancellor outlined the university’s ongoing projects designed to enhance practical experience and increase productivity. These initiatives include optimizing the productivity of three agro-processing plants recently commissioned by President Mnangagwa, which are now producing over 67 different products and services. The university is also collaborating with farmers across various districts to develop value chains for crops like sweet potatoes, soybeans, and maize, further integrating academic learning with practical industry applications.
“In the 2023-2024 academic year, the university is committed to deepening its scholarship and boosting the productivity of its research, innovation, and industrialization ecosystem,” Professor Mapfumo added. “Our focus remains on quality assurance in our academic programming and administration, ensuring that our graduates are prepared for leadership roles in innovation and industrialization.”
The graduation ceremony also included notable graduates such as Dr. Henry Mukono, a ZBC board member who completed a Bachelor of Substantive Laws Degree. Dr. Mukono expressed his enthusiasm about applying his new qualifications in his professional endeavors. Other distinguished graduates included ZBC News and Current Affairs Executive Producer Constance Mushayamano, who earned a First Class Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Multi-lingual Communication Translation and Interpretation, and news presenter Raynald Ngwarati, along with picture editor Denmark Samuriwo, who were also capped.
In addition to the University of Zimbabwe’s graduates, the ceremony featured graduates from various associate and affiliate institutions, including the Pan-African Minerals University of Science and Technology, Chibero College of Agriculture, Gwebi College of Agriculture, Salvation Army Officer Training College, Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation, and the ZESA National Training Centre. The event celebrated not only the individual achievements of the graduates but also the broader impact of the Education 5.0 model in transforming higher education in Zimbabwe and fostering a more innovative and practical approach to learning.
In other news – Georgia court dismisses some charges against Donald Trump
On Thursday, a Georgia court dismissed two criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and one charge against his allies in connection with alleged attempts to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee ruled that certain charges, specifically related to the filing of false documents, fell outside the jurisdiction of Georgia state law and were therefore not prosecutable at the state level.
Judge McAfee’s ruling allows the remaining charges to proceed, which include eight against Trump out of the original 13. Earlier this year, the judge had already dismissed three other charges against Trump due to a lack of detailed allegations. Read More
