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Bulawayo Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday capped a total of 2 001 students who graduated with degrees at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) during the university’s 19th graduation ceremony. The graduands were drawn from the faculties of Applied Sciences, the Built Environment, Commerce, Communication and Information Science and Industrial Technology. President Mugabe, who is the Chancellor of all State Universities, led the academic procession into the Ceremonial Hall where the graduands, their friends and relatives were waiting.

The President was escorted by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, her deputy, Dr Godfrey Gandawa and the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Washington Mbizwo.

Also present were the Minister of State responsible for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province , Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and former Nust Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phineas Makhurane.

Out of the 2 001 students who graduated, 1 326 were under-graduates, 672 post-graduates two of them posthumously while an additional 204 students were awarded diplomas and post-graduate diplomas in different disciplines.

Of the under-graduates 38 percent were females and 62 percent males while for the post-graduates, 35 percent were females and 65 percent males. There were also graduates in degrees which were being awarded for the first time which include Masters of Science in Radiography, Master of Science in Information Systems, and Bachelor of Science Special Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering, which was offered in collaboration with Kwekwe Polytechnic.

Among the graduates were Chronicle correspondents, Thandeka Moyo and Bongani Ndlovu who received Bachelor of Science degrees in Journalism and Media Studies and Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo who graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Disaster Management.

In his report, Nust Vice-Chancellor Professor Lindela Ndlovu said the university was fulfilling its mandate since its establishment in 1991, with one key area of the institution’s founding principles being innovation and entrepreneurship.