…Prof Zvobgo signs six year contract
Upenyu Chaota
MASVINGO – Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) will soon commence work at its main campus site near the Great Zimbabwe monuments, with construction of a convocational hall and ancillary infrastructure projected to require over $4 million.
Last week the university held a fundraising dinner for the project at Great Zimbabwe Hotel where Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the guest of honour.
Mnangagwa lauded GZU for its shrewd approach towards development and said the university remained the poster child of development through innovative use of available resources and opportunities.
“Great Zimbabwe University has realised that the government’s pace is overwhelmed with equaling compelling objectives.
The university management has therefore chosen to think outside the box and make the university construction a reality. Such a shrewd thinking can only come from a united and collective leadership which is evident here,” said Mnangagwa.
He said other universities have been challenged to emulate what GZU was doing in the name of development.
“I have it on good authority that other universities have been challenged to visit GZU and learn how to virtually grow a university on local resources.
“The transformation of this university in a very short space of time remains unparalleled by many institutions in the region,” said Mnangagwa.
GZU Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo said the project represents the vision of the government on what a Zimbabwean university should be like.
“I am eternally grateful to President Mugabe for giving me the opportunity to serve. I pledge now as I have always done my allegiance to His Excellency and to Great Zimbabwe University. I thank Vice President Mnangagwa for affording me an unprecedented six year new extension of contract,” said Prof Zvobgo.
Mnangagwa pledged US$7 000 towards the project and Masvingo Urban legislator Daniel Shumba also pledged US$5 000.
Minister of Home Affairs Ignatius Chombo also pledged US$5 000 in absentia, Psychomotor minister Josiah Hungwe pledged US$2 500 and Zaka central lawmaker Paradzai Chakona pledged US$1 500.education
