Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) marked a decade of academic excellence by conferring degrees on 204 graduands at its 5th Graduation Ceremony held at the Fernhill Campus in Mutare on 2 October 2026.

The ceremony which was held under the theme “Empowering Graduates for a Technology Driven Economy”, was presided over by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chancellor of State Universities, His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

Bringing together the University community and stakeholders, the milestone ceremony commemorated MSUAS’ 10 years of academic excellence, marked by growth in research, innovation, partnerships and contribution to Zimbabwe’s human capital development.

Whilst speaking during the ceremony, MSUAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda, said the University’s decade of growth had been driven by its commitment to using applied sciences to address real challenges facing communities and the country.

“As a university rooted in applied sciences, the future belongs to institutions that harness the transformative power of knowledge, science and technology to propel national and global progress.

“The next frontier is moving from publication to patent, from patent to product, from product to enterprise, and ultimately to jobs, livelihoods and national development”, said Professor Chawanda.

Professor Chawanda further added that MSUAS continues to strengthen its research and innovation agenda, recording 51 research publications and 12 intellectual property filings, comprising four patents and eight trademarks during the academic year.

The 2026 graduating class comprised 198 undergraduate students and six Master’s students, with 91 females representing 44.61 percent and 113 males representing 55.39 percent of the graduands.

The number of graduands increased from 191 in 2025 to 204 in 2026, while the number of female graduates rose from 75 to 91 over the same period.

Among the undergraduate graduands, four were recorded with First Class passes, 158 with Upper Second Class, 34 with Lower Second Class and one with a Pass, while the six Master’s graduands comprised one Distinction and five Merit graduates.

Some of the key achievements that have been recorded during MSUAS’ ten years of academic excellence include the development of an improved forced draft biomass cookstove by graduate Giveous Toriro and his mentor, Mr Clemence Simende, which received a Presidential Award for Community Innovation.

MSUAS Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Upenyu Guyo also received national recognition for innovation and research, while MSUAS researchers and students developed solutions in areas including mining, agriculture, environmental sustainability, information systems and renewable energy.

MSUAS also strengthened its academic and institutional partnerships during the year through collaborations with local and international institutions, supporting research, staff and student development, knowledge exchange and specialised training.

The University’s growth was further reflected in its human capital development, with the number of PhD holders among teaching staff increasing from 30 to 37, while staff members continued to pursue further academic and professional qualifications.

Infrastructure development also progressed, with two 100 bed halls of residence reaching 90 percent completion, while the University’s Agro Industrial Park expanded activities in areas including turmeric, apiculture, aquaculture and piggery.

Student achievements added to the University’s decade of academic excellence, with MSUAS finishing third nationally among 17 universities at the 2026 SAYWHAT National Universities Quiz Challenge and students participating in national and international research and innovation platforms.

The University also strengthened its contribution to community development through partnerships with the City of Mutare, which resulted in the Fire Science and Civil Protection Certificate among others.

Collaborations with institutions in Belarus, Russia and Sweden further expanded MSUAS’s international academic and research footprint, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and specialised academic engagement.

The 2026 graduation therefore represented more than the conferment of qualifications on 204 students, as it formed part of a broader celebration of MSUAS’s transformation over its first decade.

With the Class of 2026, MSUAS has marked a decade of academic excellence while reaffirming its mission to transform knowledge and research into innovation, products, enterprises, jobs and sustainable solutions that respond to the needs of communities and contribute to Zimbabwe’s national development.