President Mnangagwa, who is also Chancellor of all State Universities, is today expected to preside over the 22nd graduation ceremony for the Zimbabwe Open University where 3320 graduands in several disciplines will be capped.
There are 2154 female graduands while 1166 account for male graduands.
The graduands are from several academic disciplines that include the following faculties, Agriculture, Science, Technology, Commerce, Applied Social Sciences Education, Arts, Culture and Heritage Studies. There are also affiliate colleges whose students are equally set to graduate.
They include Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Theology (Domboshawa), Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theology, Bachelor of Arts Special Honours in Theology (Theology College of Zimbabwe).
The ceremony is being held at ZOU Hatcliff campus and it’s a hive of activity as graduands, their relatives and friends try to make their way into the campus. Long and winding queues for both human and vehicular traffic is glaring as the crowd has already swollen, notwithstanding the scorching heat that started to be felt early in the morning.
The Herald Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo left, The Sartuday Herald columnist Rutendo Gwatidzo graduating with Masters in Business Administration today at ZOU
President Mnangagwa has now arrived at ZOU graduation Hatcliff venue. The procession team has already taken its position in readiness to proceed to the graduation tent with President Mnangagwa who is the Chancellor of State Universities
ZOU graduating procession team led by President Mnangagwa now heading to the podium. This signals the commencement of official proceedings.
Cabinet Ministers in attendance include, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Fredereck Shava and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere. The police Band now playing the national anthem.
President Mnangagwa, as Chancellor of State Universities has declared the congregation as a duly constituted graduation ceremony. Vice Chancellor, Prof Gundani now delivering his speech outlining achievements, state of the university, its trajectory and issues to do with today’s graduation ceremony.
ZOU Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Gundami has welcomed all graduates and guests where President Mnangagwa will cap 3 320 graduates.
He appreciated efforts by academics and parents who encouraged and guided students throughout their studies.
Three graduates will be caped posthumously Vice Chancellor Gundani said.
Vice Chancellor Gundani said the University continue to offer several short courses countrywide in collaboration with the Angel of Hope ably led by the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Gundani, said the female graduands constitute about 65 percent, showing that ZOU is continually developing the female gender to take up at least 50 percent stake in leadership positions as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
He bemoaned the resignation of staff at the institution at all levels including full Professors. He said another challenge was the cost of data for research by students.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Gundani concludes his speech by congratulating graduands.
Conferment of degrees by the Chancellor and President Mnangagwa is now set to commence soon after a musical interlude. Graduating students have now started taking positions in time to walk to the podium where they will be capped.
President Mnangagwa now declares the ceremony for the conferment of degrees closed, signifying the end of the programme, now being wound by the playing of the National anthem by the Police Band
