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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau

Expanding enrolment at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) requires urgent increase in university accommodation for both students and staff, with limits on the amount of private accommodation the people in the town can provide.

Speaking yesterday during the institution’s 18th graduation ceremony where President Mnangagwa conferred over 2 800 students with certificates, diplomas and degrees, CUT vice chancellor Professor David Simbi said the university now had 11 899 students.

“The increase in the enrolment has brought with it pressure on accommodation,” he said.

“Despite the assistance by our parent Ministry to lure private-public partnerships, the model is proving difficult with many financiers requesting title deeds.

“While the community has been helpful in providing private accommodation, most of them require United States dollars.”

Prof Simbi said more accommodation at the university will lure more lectures and students.

Most of the students rent from property owners in Coldstream, Katanda, Hunyani Mzari and Orange Grove suburbs where they fork out a minimum of US$50 each for a room they share in twos or threes.

Out of the 2 804 that graduated yesterday, 1 379 were women representing 49 percent.

A total of 1 126 females graduated with undergraduate degrees representing 54 percent of the 2 073 and nine Masters of Philosophy female graduates representing 57 percent of total number.

Although yesterday’s event was physically attended by thousands that went through Covid-19 screening, with the majority enjoying the natural fresh air as face-masks wearing was not mandatory, the pain of losing colleagues and supporting staff members remained core to the university’s scientists’ zeal of contributing to a Covid-19 free community.

“While Covid-19 was a major setback, it did not stop the university from dreaming big,” said Prof Simbi. “As a university, we have lost colleagues and supporting staff. It is in their honour, the university, through its scientists from Schools of Agriculture and Health Sciences Technology, we continue to undertake the research and development of Covid-19 cure.”

Prof Simbi said the university continued to strive for excellence, amid revelations of successful contribution of the innovation hub and agro-industrial park under the Education 5.0 model to the country’s livestock herd.

He lauded Government for releasing funding that was going a long way in developing tertiary institutions.

The university, which has an enrolment of 11 899 students with 52 percent being males, was facing a massive exodus of lecturers as the West devise aggressive and ruthless ways of continuing to exploit the developing nations.

Running under the theme: “Education 5.0 Creating Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Industrial Growth”, graduating students promised to work for the country’s development towards Vision 2030.

Overall best graduating student in chemistry, Christine Mupindu, and second-best Information, Communication Technology student, Marshal Aston Gorejena, who were both awarded with chancellor’s awards and walked away US$1 000 richer each, said they would implement what they learnt for the betterment of the country.

“I am hoping to open my own laboratory or start a business that will create employment for other youths,” said Mupindu.