It was a day of pomp and fanfare as Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) hosted its third graduation ceremony on December 5, 2024, at the Fernhill Campus in Mutare.
The event, held under the theme “Advancing Sustainable Production, Industrialisation, and Modernisation Through Research and Innovation,” celebrated the achievements of 153 graduates from diverse faculties, including Engineering, Applied Sciences and Technology, Applied Social Sciences, and Agribusiness Management.
The ceremony was graced by MSUAS Chancellor, His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, who capped the graduates.
Among the standout students, eight earned First Class Degrees —three females and five males.
Gamuchirai Chigaro was recognised as the best female graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgy Honours Degree, achieving 34 distinctions, while Tinashe Carl Nhapi earned the top male award with 33 distinctions in the Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Processing Honours Degree. Both were honored with the prestigious Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award, which includes a prize of US$1000 each.
Additionally, Munyaradzi Muchangwara, Ryan Takudzwa Shereni, and Tafadzwa Monica Munetsi each received the Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Awards of US$500. Munetsi’s outstanding performance was further recognised with an additional US$500 for being the second-best female graduate and the Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor Award of US$500 for the most innovative and promising research.
In his address, MSUAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda, highlighted the significance of the third graduation as a reflection of the university’s commitment to supporting national development goals. He emphasised that MSUAS graduates are well-prepared to use their knowledge and research to create innovations and solutions for the challenges facing society.
“As a university of applied sciences, we understand that the future belongs to those who harness the power of knowledge to drive sustainable growth,” said Professor Chawanda.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Dr Fredrick Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Innovation and Technology Development; Professor Fanuel Tagwira, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry; Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland Province; MSUAS Council Members; Vice-Chancellors from other universities; and senior government and academic officials.
The event underscored the university’s role in fostering research, innovation, and sustainable development, helping to shape a brighter future through education and applied sciences.
