By Violet Mashonga
Chinhoyi – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday honoured six outstanding students with cash prizes ranging from US$500 to US$1,000 during the 21st graduation ceremony of Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), where 3,484 graduates were conferred with degrees and diplomas.
The six exceptional achievers stood out in disciplines such as chemistry, information technology, and business sciences, reflecting the university’s focus on nurturing innovative, skilled graduates equipped to tackle national challenges.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as President Mnangagwa—who serves as Chancellor of all state universities—arrived to cap graduates in a colourful celebration of academic excellence.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon. Marian Chombo, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Ambassador Dr Shadreck Shava, and ZANU PF Provincial Chairperson Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, reinforcing the importance placed on higher education in Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
CUT Vice Chancellor, Professor David Simbi, welcomed the President and highlighted the institution’s strides under the Education 5.0 model, which blends teaching, research, innovation, industrialisation, and community service.
“The university is focused on producing graduates with the practical skills to drive economic development and solve national problems,” Prof. Simbi said.
A sea of caps and gowns filled the venue as students took the stage to receive their certificates. Female graduates made up 53% of the cohort, a notable figure that speaks to CUT’s commitment to gender equity, especially in STEM fields.
But the ceremony wasn’t just a celebration of the past—it was a vision for the future. Prof. Simbi announced the upcoming Animal Embryo Technology Transfer Laboratory and plans for a campus radio station, both designed to promote innovation and applied learning.
As the celebrations ended, graduates walked away with more than just certificates. They carried with them ambition, hope, and a mission to use their knowledge to make an impact in Zimbabwe and beyond.
The future is calling—and this new generation of changemakers is ready to answer.
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