Eighty nine students graduate from the Catholic University of Zimbabwe

The Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) Friday witnessed the graduation of 89 young men and women after they finished their undergraduate studies at the institution.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Catholic university’s  St Thomas Aquinas Square and was graced by the Archbishop of Harare who is also the Chancellor of the Catholic university. Others in attendance were  the Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe, Archbishop Marek Zalewski , Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) chair, Bishop Michael Bhasera , several priests, religious sisters, laity, relatives and friends of the graduating students. The Government was represented by  the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development, Dr Godfrey Gandawa.

In his Speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Ranga Zinyemba alluded to the socio-economic challenges lying ahead of the graduates coupled with de-industrialization and unemployment which has spiraled to eighty five percent in the country.

“The World Bank Survey on the Conduciveness of Doing Business in 2014 ranked Zimbabwe at No. 170 out of 189 countries surveyed, meaning that an investor is likely to choose 169 countries in which to do business before they consider to invest in Zimbabwe.

“This, I am afraid, Your Grace and Chancellor, is the world into which we are sending these young men and women graduating from our university today”, said Prof Zinyemba.

Minister Godfrey Gandawa applauded the efforts being made by the university in grooming quality and innovative young people for the market and appreciated the institution’s 2013-2022 strategic development plan. “We appreciate that the Catholic University is a growing university and in that light, we continue to encourage you to keep your focus on quality, growth and innovation as outlined in your Strategic Development plan 2013 - 2022”.

The minister also commended the university’s initiative of satellite campuses that include St Augustine Seminary in Zimbabwe’ second biggest of city of Bulawayo. Other centres are in Chinhoyi Pastoral Centre and Mutare Diocesan Training Centre. The minister told the gathering that the university’s ability to network and find opportunities for synergy is a good strategy that ensures a win - win situation ensuring better utilisation of existing facilities.

The Catholic University of Zimbabwe’s 2015 graduation was the 12th since its inception. The enrolment at the university grew from 280 students in December 2013 to 1, 833 students in April 2015.

(Jesuit Communications Zimbabwe –Mozambique)

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