The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has bagged a global chartered accounting award for top performances among its students in case study examinations.

The University won the African Regional Champion, Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA) following the CIMA prize-Winner Excellency Awards, which were held virtually last Friday.

NUST came first among partners with top performing CIMA students in case study exams, reads the citation of the award.

The award was sponsored by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global accounting organisation representing CIMA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

The aim of the awards is to recognise institutions and individuals across the world who go above and beyond to shape the next generation of chartered global management accountants and lead the accounting profession into the future.

Winners from this year’s awards were drawn from more than 400 nominations from educational institutions and individuals who were submitted for consideration in four categories.

These include CIMA Teaching Excellence Award, CIMA Research Excellency Award, CIMA Campus Culture Excellency Award and CIMA Employability Excellency Award.

In addition, a central award committee selected winners for the CIMA Award Prize-Winner Excellence Award, CIMA Global Excellence Award, and CGMA Campus of the Year Award based on CIMA exam performance in 2020 and 2021.

NUST Communications and Marketing Director, Mr Thabani Mpofu, said the award was an endorsement of NUST capabilities in delivering quality education in line with national vision.

“The Regional Champion (Africa) CIMA-Prize Winner Award for Top Student in Strategic Case Study exam August 2020 is a powerful endorsement of the world-class programmes on offer at NUST and a clear demonstration of the high quality graduates churned out by our University” said Mr Mpofu.

“Through the Heritage-based Education 5.0, our students are trained to make an impact in society with the creative and innovative skills imparted during their education experience that is consistently rated among the best locally and beyond.

“We are committed to producing innovative and entrepreneurial graduates whose qualifications are locally and internationally recognised, underpinned by values of engaged citizenship.”

Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, Chief Executive – Management Accounting at The Chartered Institute of Management Accounting, said the awards are meant to celebrate those who are promoting the chartered accounting profession.

“It is an honour to recognise and celebrate those who have demonstrated remarkable commitment to their students and the accounting profession in the past year,” said Mr Andrew Harding.

“All our winners and nominees are doing incredible work to help future generations realise their potential and give their career a head start.

“We are proud to call you our partners and truly appreciate your support.” – Chronicle online.

The Research Platform Production and Conservation in Partnership (PCP), has pledged to continue assisting local universities in training researchers with the focus of changing livelihoods in communities.
The PCP is a concept that contributes to self-sustaining and functional social-ecological systems for the betterment of life of people and animals within southern African protected areas and their periphery.

Speaking during a meeting to review the memorandum of understanding (MoU) PCP Chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje, said the MoU was important as its purpose is to build capacity in Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans, training researchers and also lecturers as well as improve the lives of people in Zimbabwe and working people who are close to national parks in Hwange and also Gonarezhou

“Students benefit a lot from this platform. We provide funds for students to conduct their research and living allowances whilst they perform their research activities.
“In this programme they are also given opportunities to further their studies achieving Masters degrees and PhDs and that they join workplaces, we have students in important positions in new universities like Gwanda University, Great Zimbabwe University and Lupane,” he said.

French Ambassador Laurent Chevallier said it was important to strengthen scientific exchanges between African and European universities, especially in France in order to develop co-research between African, French and other universities.

Since its inception 14 years ago, APCP has managed to train more than 150 MSc and PhD students,mostly Zimbabwean and SADC students (including currently 50 on-going students), published more than 160 research articles and book chapters and attract multiple funding (from EU, AFD and others).

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday implored players in the film industry to use their creative productions to change adverse perception and project positive national image, which promotes the
country’s rich cultural heritage and vast investment opportunities.

In line with the country’s renewed development trajectory, President Mnangagwa said film and movies should be deployed to motivate citizens to do more through increased production and productivity.

“I, thus, challenge stakeholders in the sector to use their various fortes to promote our rich culture,heritage and vision for the future by telling our own story, through our own perspectives, with our own voices and images,” he said.

“The film industry must further help to convey the true story of our great mother country by projecting a positive image,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said players in the film sector should desist from allowing their stories to be captured by those with ulterior motives.

“Integrity must remain the sacred responsibility of your field. To this end, avoid the easy way out and do not give up your chosen genres and narratives or betray acting in the national interest to satisfy project or film financiers,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Remain emboldened by the fact that you are competent and well able to help shape and influence the future of our great mother country.”
The President noted that some players in the film and broadcasting space were using their talents and skills to denigrate their own country, its leadership and the African value systems, often at the behest and for payment by foreign detractors.

“I, thus, call upon the sector and our young people in particular, to refuse to use their skills and talent to promote national decadence and self-hate. You only have one mother country, which is Zimbabwe. Love it, promote and protect it,” he said.
The film, arts and creative industries play a critical socio-economic role with the sector having a potential to create more than 20 million jobs in Africa and contributing US$20 billion to the continent

He explained how the Government under the Second Republic, will continue to resource the Arts and Culture Development Fund to support the emerging young talented film makers and other artists cross the creative cultural industries. In recognition of the various imperatives of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the quest to develop a knowledge economy, President Mnangagwa said his administration has taken a deliberate decision to include film, animation, cinematography, content production, drone technology, graphic design, sound engineering and creative arts in general as critical skills for the future.

“I, thus, commend the partnership between the Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Ministry, universities and the film and TV Resources Company for prioritising training of players in the creative cultural industry,” he said.

“The Varsity Film Expo and teacher upskilling programmes along with the ongoing capacity building initiatives being implemented at universities and colleges, must give impetus to the creation and consumption of our local arts, cultural, sport and recreation products and services.”

President Mnangagwa said the Film and TV Resources Company’s decision to set up and operationalise film and television hubs at universities buttresses Government policy thrust of establishing innovation hubs and industrial parks within universities.

“The programme will ensure the sustainable growth of the industry right from the grassroots in line with tenets of devolution and decentralisation as well as our quest to achieve development, which leaves no one and no place behind,” said President Mnangagwa.

The launch of the inaugural annual Varsity Film Expo dovetails with the broadcasting digitisation programme underway along with other developmental initiatives set by the Second Republic such as the devolution agenda, heritage-based education 5.0, and a digital-driven economy.

President Mnangagwa said film industry players must be guided by values of peace, harmony and love.

“Furthermore, the film industry sub sector and creative cultural industries in general is encouraged to occasionally reflect, introspect and self-criticise each other with the view of sharpening content that is more positive and developing the desired progressive national psyche,” he said.

The President said film and artistic expressions must lead to the perpetuation of the country’s rich cultural traditions and promotion of positive contemporary culture.

“In the same vein, locally produced content should promote family virtues, the values of upright living, moral integrity, hard and honest work, self-restraint, discipline and healthy living.”
President Mnangagwa said the film sector must also discourage society from corruption, violation of law and moral decadence.He also lauded the India-Africa Trade Council for its expression to set up the Indo-Zimbabwe Film Commission to facilitate skills and cultural exchange for the growth of the country’s film and movie industry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, among other stakeholders, have also been challenged to play their part towards unlocking the opportunities the Indo-Zimbabwe Film Commission has to offer.
President Mnangagwa also urged the private sector to invest and support “Proudly Zimbabwean” film and audio-visual, music, theatre and the visual arts industries.
“Similarly, the newly licensed players in the broadcasting space are urged to promote locally produced content.
“This is more important as our young people remain the biggest drivers of digital content and users of information and communication technologies,” he said.
The Government has expressed readiness to support ideas, innovations, talents and skills by young people in their chosen fields or interest regardless of where they live. In the wake of Covid-19, President Mnangagwa urged the media to continue to sensitise the nation on the importance of vaccination and the need to adhere to public health protocols.
The Varsity Film Expo, which was spearheaded by young talented and enterprising youths, was held under the theme “Vivid: Amplifying Sustainable Development Goals using Film and Digital Media.”

The expo ended yesterday(8-Dec-21) — @mashnets

CONTENT creators should take advantage of the massive opportunities that are emerging in the broadcasting sector following the Government’s decision to liberalise the airwaves.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said this during the launch of the inaugural 2021 Varsity Film Expo at the National University of Science and Technology(Nust) yesterday.

The University of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University, Lupane State University, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Great Zimbabwe University, Solusi University and Nust are participating at the expo, which ends tomorrow.

President Mnangagwa officially launched the expo and promised that all talented Zimbabweans will be rewarded for innovations under his administration.

In a break from the past, the Government last year licensed six television stations including the Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN). The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) also licensed community and campus radio stations.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the licensing of television and radio stations should be a challenge for producers to provide content that reflects the Zimbabwean culture.
“I am deeply delighted that our universities have demonstrated an incredible productive capacity for the film industry,” she said.

“As you all know, for 40 years Zimbabwe had known only one television station but through your astute leadership Your Excellency, we licensed six free-to-air TV licenses.
“We licensed 14 community radio stations and we did not leave out universities because of the importance of our students,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“All these licensed television and radio stations are waiting for content and as Zimbabweans, we have the talent. We have the expertise and as such we do not want to feed our youths with foreign content.
“The nation is hungry for local content, it is thirsty for diversity. It has a high appetite for local film productions that it can relate to and identify with.
“The time to feed the nation with films that tell our own story is now.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the 2021 Varsity Film Expo is also in sync with National Development Strategy 1 and a step towards attaining Vision 2030.
“The successful launch of the inaugural annual Varsity Film Expo that we have just witnessed dovetails with the broadcasting digitisation programme underway, along with other developmental initiatives set by the Second Republic such as the devolution agenda, heritage-based education 5.0 and a digital-driven economy,” she said.

“It is critical that we move from analogue to digital, we don’t want to lose our young generation. The young generation are attracted to their gadgets and as such we should be able to utilise information to educate the youth about the history of our country so that the children know where we came from, where we are and where we are going,” she said.
“There is no future without knowing your past and present.”

“Through film, produced and directed by our own citizens, we will boost tourism, advance our economic interests, and market our diverse culture to the rest of the world and also defend our state against hostile narratives in the global arena,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“I don’t doubt that we can favourably compete and be counted among the top emerging cinema markets in Africa.
“The creative artistic genius that was on display today must be harnessed to achieve those ends.
“Our film industry is capable of creating jobs and contributing towards the goals of the National Development Strategy-1 and the overarching Vision 2030.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said it was important to bring filmmakers, academics, students, policymakers and the business community together in developing national discourse.
She said the participation of President Mnangagwa in the inaugural Varsity Film Expo was in line with his vision of leaving no one behind as far as development matters are concerned.
Speaking during the same event, Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, said the expo was addressing the needs of Zimbabweans.
“The Variety Film Expo 2021 is part of the journey of a free people, a journey in our implementation of Heritage Based Education 5.0 that You, Your Excellency, designed and directed,” he said.
“Through Heritage based Education 5.0 we are developing national capabilities, one by one, in line with Your Excellency’s stone upon stone philosophy-in line with your guiding development doctrine — nyika inovakwa nevene vayo (a nation is built by its citizens),” said Prof Murwira.

He said his ministry was in the process of addressing gaps that were identified by the national critical skills audit, which unearthed that applied arts and humanities clusters were dominated by analogue technology and cannot compete at a global market.

“The Film Expo responds to the recommendations for focused prioritised training of creative arts and world class exhibitions and development of skills as well as innovative capacity for enhanced entrepreneurial and commercial skills for artists and other service providers in the applied arts and humanities cluster,” he said.

“This shall enable the artists/creators and other service providers in the cluster to add value to their products,” said Minister Murwira.

He said through film and television Zimbabwe can liberate herself and follow the path of modernisation and industrialisation. — @nqotshili

Suspension of face-to-face lectures

The University wishes to advise all students that face to face lectures that were due to resume on Thursday 9 December 2021 have been suspended until further notice, meanwhile;

• lectures will continue being conducted online up to Friday 17 December 2021
• and will resume on Monday 3 January 2022
• Online library services will be available 24 hours to support online teaching and learning.

Protection against Covid-19

• Students who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 are encouraged to do so.
• Students are also reminded to strictly observe Covid-19 Protection Regulations prescribed by the World Health Organisation.

L J Hadebe (Mr)

Deputy Registrar – Academic

ADMISSION INTO POSTGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMMES FOR THE JANUARY 2022 INTAKE

• Applications are invited from candidates who meet the requirements for entry into the First Year of the Postgraduate Degree Programmes, for the January 2022 Intake.
• Online application is available on this website via this link: https://apply.nust.ac.zw/apply/

 Application Fee

a) Zimbabwean Nationals

The Application fee for Zimbabwean Nationals is ZWL$1500.00.

b) International Applicants

The Application fee for International Applicants is US$$30.

The closing date for applications is 3 December 2021.

The University wishes to announce that it will be hosting the Inaugural annual Varsity Film Expo from 6 to 8 December 2021, where seven (7) universities are participating. Therefore, we will take a one-day break from lectures on Monday 6 December 2021 to allow for the smooth flow of activities during the official opening of the Varsity Film Expo. 

Please note that only those students invited to participate in the Varsity Film Expo will be allowed on campus on the Official Opening Day (6 December 2021).

L J Hadebe (Mr)

Deputy Registrar – Academic

Your Excellency, the Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, and, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

Honourable Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Cde Judith Ncube

Honourable Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor, dr. Amon Murwira

Ministers of Government here present

The Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan, Ambassador Gabrial Gai Riak

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, here represented by the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Rev Paul Damasane

Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Cde. Raymore Machingura

Deputy Ministers of Government here Present

Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Dr. Vincent Hungwe

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira

Chairman of NUST Council, Eng. Alvord Mabena

Vice-Chancellors, and Principals of Institutions of Higher and Tertiary Education

Senior Government Officials here present

Distinguished guests,

Parents and guardians,

Graduands of the 2021 class,

Ladies and Gentleman! 

IT is always a great pleasure, Your Excellency and Chancellor, to have you here to officiate during this important ceremony in the career journey of our students. My sincere appreciation also goes to our Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Education and his Ministry team for the continued support and guidance. Allow me your Excellency and Chancellor, to acknowledge our academics and support staff for a job well done. To parents and guardians, your investment in the education of your children has not been in vein. We salute you for all the sacrifices. 

Your Excellency and Chancellor, we are presenting to you 3 290 undergraduates and postgraduate graduands. This is a 30% increase from last year. Of these graduates 46% are female and 54% are male. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are physically capping 326 graduands with First Class, Distinctions, recipients of various book prizes, nine (8) Doctor of Philosophy and three (3) Master of Philosophy graduands. A total of 244 are graduating with First Classes and Distinctions. Among those receiving prizes are two graduands from the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Communication and Information Science who are receiving the distinguished prize: The Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award and USD$1,000 each. On behalf of NUST Council, Senate, students and Alumni Association, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for this kind gesture for the second year running from our Number One Alumnus, His Excellency and Chancellor, Dr E.D Mnangagwa. 

Your Excellency and Chancellor, we are also witnessing five programmes graduating for the first time. These are Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Earth Sciences; Bachelor of Technology Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering in collaboration with TelOne; Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree in Mining Engineering in collaboration with Gwanda State University; Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree in Geomatics and Surveying in collaboration with Gwanda State University; and a Master of Engineering Degree in Environmental Processing Engineering. Our warm congratulations to the pioneers of the five programmes. 

Distinguished guests, NUST remains committed to addressing the critical skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as it implements the Heritage-based Education 5.0, which is pivotal in the drive towards the nation’s Vision 2030. This is demonstrated by the fact that 59% of our graduands are in STEM disciplines. Also, our current enrolment at undergraduate level comprises of 61% students in STEM disciplines while the menu of our degree programmes is made up of 77% STEM programmes at undergraduate level and 63% STEM at postgraduate level. 

As a University, we are excited that our students and their supervisors are responding very well to the demands of the Heritage-based Education 5.0, which challenges us to RETHINK, REFOCUS and REDESIGN our role and contribution in the journey towards an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle-Income Society as outlined in Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030. Today, we are graduating innovative, tech-savvy and entrepreneurial graduands who are ready to drive the country’s innovation and industrialisation. For example, among these graduands, Your Excellency and Chancellor, is 23-year-old Tafadzwa Banga, who was selected into the Top 10 young African innovators by Space in Africa. The young innovator, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, is the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) National Point of Contact (NPoC) for Zimbabwe. He launched a student-designed electronic payload in near space using a high-altitude balloon, the first-ever space-related project for Zimbabwe. 

Two weeks ago, our final year student in the Industrial and Manufacturing Department, Allen Chafa outshined engineering students from the country’s universities, polytechnics and colleges in the annual Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers awards. During the competition, students showcased projects with particular emphasis on value addition, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2030. Chafa’s project, which address water challenges, came out tops. We celebrate the achievements of our students. To us NUST, the future of the nation is in the YOUTH, our STUDENTS, our GRADUANDS before us. 

Let me take this opportunity to express our gratitude to his Excellency, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr E.D Mnangagwa for conferring our Applied Genetics Testing Centre (AGTC) with the Medal of Meritorious Service Commendation Award and for awarding the University the Jairos Jiri Humanitarian Award for its outstanding work in the practicalisation of Heritage-based Education 5.0 in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic. The AGTC Centre is currently working on the identification of over 150 Cyclone Idai Zimbabwean Victims who were buried unidentified in Mozambique. AGTC is also leading a research in the development of capacity to produce Covid-19 and other pathogens, testing reagents, a major breakthrough in the fight against the pandemic and handling of other diseases like HIV/AIDS. We are grateful to the Government, which through our Ministry has facilitated the acquiring of a DNA synthesizer machine. We look forward to starting the manufacturing of the Covid-19 testing kits before the year ends and this will go a long way in reducing the high cost of PCR testing to members of the public, while helping the Government to cut on its import bill. Besides Covid-19, the local production of PCR test kits will help the country to handle some diseases like HIV. A PCR test can also be used to detect viral load and can be used in animals to ascertain various diseases and viruses. 

Your Excellency and Chancellor, in 2018, the University enrolled 35 students from the Republic of South Sudan on a government-to-government scholarship programme. The majority of the students (37%) were studying Applied Science, 31% Commerce, 14% Engineering, 11% Medicine and 3% each were enrolled in The Built Environment and Communication and Information Science. We are pleased to report that the last group of the South Sudanese students are graduating today. May the South Sudan students please stand up. CONGRATULATIONS! You may take your seats. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, a graduation is such a special occasion; it is the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifices; the actualisation of goals attained and the acknowledgement of successes achieved and dreams fulfilled. To the Graduands, their parents and guardians, it all started with our coming together, keeping together and working together, in spite of all the obstacles that we faced along the way. The end result is the Graduating Class of 2021. Go out to the world and always lead by example. It has been an honour and a privilege to play a significant part in shaping your careers. Always remember to THINK IN OTHER TERMS!

 AMHLOPHE! MAKOROKOTO! TWAKABOMBA! RINITAMELA MASHUDU! MATJENA! CONGRATULATIONS!