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Ray Bande Manicaland Bureau

Africa University has been praised by the Government for taking heed of President Mnangagwa’s call to play their part towards attainment of an upper middle income economy by 2030.

This was said yesterday by Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, through his deputy, Mr Raymore Machingura, during the initiation of 20 students who have joined the newly established School of Law.

“Our national vision, as enunciated by President Mnangagwa, is to become an upper middle class society by 2030,” said Minister Murwira.

“As we move towards the attainment of this vision, the President has directed higher and tertiary education institutions to take their rightful place of delivering an education system that causes the capabilities to produce goods and services for the attainment of the national vision. 

“The Government of Zimbabwe appreciates the work being done by Africa University in running with the President’s vision. Africa University continues to shine with the introduction of new and relevant programmes in our nation.”

In his remarks, during the launch of the Africa University School of Law at the Mutare campus, AU Vice Chancellor Reverend Professor Peter Mageto urged the pioneer stream to fit into the university’s values.

“Your integrity should be beyond reproach. Academic excellence means being facilitated with all the support necessary that is intertwined in knowledge and piety for skills so desired in our continent,” said Prof Mageto. 

“This is well informed by considering the role of law in Vision 2030, where we see your cohort within the first cohort of law professionals who will bring the bar and the public engagement, empowerment and enrichment for the transformation of humanity.”

He added that academic excellence at Africa University was also sync with the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 where law remains the backbone in shaping Africa’s masterplan of transforming the continent into a powerhouse of the                           future. 

For every key outcome, Prof Mageto said, law was required, hence the university’s desire for all AU law students to think about improvements in living standards, transformed, inclusive and sustainable economies, an integrated Africa, empowered women, youth and children, well-governed, peaceful and cultural centric Africa in a global context.

The United Methodist Church-run university becomes the fifth institution after the University of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University and the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University to offer the law programme.

The introduction of the School of Law at AU coincides with the institution’s 30th anniversary celebrations this year.