LSU Gets US$1m Boost, Seeks More Funding for Technovation Centre

Lupane State University has received more than US$1.053 million in Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) funding for its Technovation Centre, but says additional financial support is needed to complete the project and facilitate the relocation of students and staff from Bulawayo.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa disclosed the allocation in his address prepared for the university’s 17th graduation ceremony on November 5, where 1,153 graduands were presented for qualifications.

“This critical funding has significantly advanced the construction of our Technovation Centre,” he said.

“However, in order to ensure the swift relocation of our students and staff from Bulawayo, we respectfully appeal for continued financial support to bring this project to completion.”

The address did not specify the outstanding funding requirement or a completion date for the centre.

The ceremony marked 21 years of academic growth for LSU, which welcomed its first cohort of 12 students in 2005.

Women accounted for 645 graduands, representing 55.9 percent of the graduating class.

Prof Kuipa said 54 undergraduate graduands had attained first-class degrees.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda was among the graduands, receiving a Master of Science degree in Climate Change and Sustainable Development.

Three other legislators were also listed among the graduating class: Zvimba South MP D. Malinganiso, Nkayi South MP J. Hadebe and Nkulumane MP F. Murechu.

The university also recognised two students posthumously. Vumindaba Phangwana was awarded a Master of Science in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, while Cornelias Moyo received a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management.

Pioneer cohorts in Production Engineering, One Health, Supply Chain Management, and Food Safety and Port Health were also among those graduating.

Six students received Chancellor’s Awards worth a combined US$4,000, sponsored by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mwarianesu Makunura and Vitalis Chigwida were named the best graduating undergraduate female and male students respectively, each receiving US$1,000.

Four additional awards of US$500 each recognised final-year projects selected for innovation and community impact. The recipients were Muziwanele Ncube, Nozithelo Nyoni, Mark Rukanda and Brian Ndlovu.

Held under the theme “Knowledge, Innovation and Industrialisation in Action: Empowering Graduates to Build a Prosperous Zimbabwe,” the ceremony emphasised the application of university training to production and development.

Prof Kuipa urged graduates to remain innovative and maintain links with the university as they entered professional life.

“Graduands, today you graduate from Lupane State University fully prepared to be lifelong learners, resilient innovators, and critical thinkers who turn vision into reality,” he said.