Tanyaradzwa Tizora
2996 graduands were capped at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST)’s 29th Graduation ceremony held on Wednesday December 6 2023 in Bulawayo where 250 students graduated with first class and distinctions.
44 students were foreigners from Botswana, Malawi and Zambia and 46 percent of the graduates were female and 54 percent were male.
A number of students graduated from new programmes including Masters of Science in Big Data Science, Bachelor of Construction Studies in Construction Management and Bachelor of Construction Studies in Quantity Surveying.
Among notable faces were Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Development Studies, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) employees Lisa Masuku and Mthokozisi Dube.
Minister Muswere’s degree is his second PHD and his thesis was titled “Corporate Governance Practices and Performance of State-owned Enterprises in the Information and Communication Technology Sector in Zimbabwe: A New Public Management Approach”.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Nust Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Mqhele Dlodlo said the University was building two factory stores in collaboration with Masvingo Polytechnical College.
“NUST is setting up industries on campus through construction of aid factory shells. Working together with Masvingo Polytechnical College, we have started constructing one of the factory shells and by the end of 2024, two factory sheds will be completed. The University has since introduced new programs to support the construction sector.
“NUST is ranked 24 out of 88 universities in 20 countries in teaching, research and societal impact by the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University rankings,” added Professor Dlodlo.
Professor Dlodlo said the University partnered with Katswe Sisterhood in setting up a Gender Knowledge in a bid to support female students and academics. He said that will also impact the increasing enrollment of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
