In a landmark development for regional healthcare and academic innovation, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital to establish a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The MoU provides a strategic framework for the introduction of medical and nursing programmes at MSUAS, leveraging the hospital’s extensive clinical expertise to deliver community-focused, research-driven health training tailored to the needs of Manicaland province.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, MSUAS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda, said the partnership represents a practical embodiment of the Education 5.0 philosophy and a direct contribution to Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.
“This partnership is not merely an expansion of our academic offering, but a strategic response to Zimbabwe’s national need for specialised, applied human capital capable of transforming the health sector,” said Professor Chawanda. “At MSUAS, we do not pursue knowledge for its own sake. We pursue knowledge that solves real problems, technology that saves lives, and innovation that delivers tangible impact in our communities.”
Through the partnership, MSUAS will fulfil its applied sciences mandate by ensuring that students gain hands-on clinical exposure within a real healthcare environment, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Hilary Makiwa described the initiative as a strategic convergence of academic innovation and clinical service aimed at accelerating economic and social development.
“We welcome the university’s commitment to cutting-edge research and advanced diagnostics, which will modernise our clinical approaches and improve patient outcomes,” said Dr Makiwa. “Training medical students within the real social and ecological context of Manicaland empowers them to address local health challenges with precision and extend healthcare beyond hospital walls into communities.”
The signing ceremony was attended by MSUAS senior management, the Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga, and specialist neurosurgeon, Dr Ngoni Loverage Madzura.
The partnership is expected to transform the regional healthcare landscape by strengthening applied medical education, advancing research, and producing highly skilled health professionals committed to community-centred innovation and national development.
