Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) held the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Institute of Civil Protection at its Fernhill Campus on 24 August 2026, celebrating 24 graduates trained in risk prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Held under the theme “Building Resilience, Protecting the Nation,” the graduation formed part of MSUAS’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, marking a decade of academic excellence, research, innovation and community impact. The ceremony also marked a significant milestone in the partnership between MSUAS and the City of Mutare aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s disaster management and civil protection capacity.

In his welcome remarks, MSUAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda, said the programme grew out of a partnership between the University and the City of Mutare to build the country’s civil protection capacity.

“The collaboration between Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences and the City of Mutare will bring professionals who undertake risk, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

“It demonstrates the values of universities working closely with local authorities and other public institutions to develop programmes that address real challenges within our communities,” said Professor Chawanda.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, whose remarks were delivered at the ceremony by Eng. Benjamin Kabikira, commended MSUAS for strengthening the country’s civil protection capacity.

“The graduation of this first cohort of the Institute of Civil Protection signifies the country’s growing capacity to develop its civil protection professionals.

“This training and knowledge transfer remains integral to enable Zimbabwe to build sustainable local expertise, reducing the reliance on foreign training,” said Eng. Kabikira.

He added that the certification signified not just an educational achievement, but also the responsibility to apply knowledge effectively in real-world crises.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon. Dr Fredrick Shava, Professor Chawanda said the University had identified the country’s skills needs together with the City of Mutare and called on institutions to build their own specialised scientific, technological and engineering capacity.

“Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences identified national skill requirements together with City of Mutare.

“These certificate programmes are not the final destination but the foundation of a much bigger vision to progressively develop our own specialised scientific, technological and engineering capabilities, and I commend the City of Mutare for recognising the university not merely as an educational institution, but as a strategic development partner,” said Professor Chawanda.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, represented at the ceremony by Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, said civil protection demands more than good intentions and cannot remain an afterthought, but must be planned, professionalised and adequately resourced.

He emphasised the need for civil protection to be led by men and women with the knowledge, discipline and courage to respond effectively when the nation’s needs demand it.

The ceremony brought together senior government officials, academics, private sector representatives and students from across Manicaland Province, underscoring the growing importance of formalised disaster management training in strengthening Zimbabwe’s preparedness and response capabilities.

The inaugural graduation added to MSUAS’s decade-long record of academic excellence, research, innovation and community impact as the University continues to expand its academic portfolio and forge strategic partnerships that respond to national development priorities.