Two representatives of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) — Chioneso Mtakiwa, a UNESCO O3 Changemaker and Chemical Engineering student, and Ausely Takundwa, a recent Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering graduate and former SRC President have been selected to present their project, Aqua-Communo, at the Russian-African Forum-Competition of Young Scientists in Russia.

Aqua-Communo is a community-driven water initiative that seeks to empower local communities to participate in water-quality monitoring, pollution reporting, and environmental protection. The project trains community members as citizen water monitors who collect water-quality information, identify pollution hotspots, and contribute evidence that can support better environmental decision-making and sustainable management of water resources.

The project brings together their complementary backgrounds in Chemical Engineering and Mining Engineering, demonstrating how engineering can extend beyond technical solutions to address community relations, social impact, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development.

Their participation will represent the thematic area of “Sociology in Engineering Projects, Community Relations and Social Impact of Resource Projects,” highlighting the importance of putting communities at the centre of engineering and resource-development initiatives.

Beyond the project itself, this achievement reflects the leadership journey both young people have demonstrated through student leadership, UNESCO O3 Changemaker engagement, research, innovation, and community-focused initiatives.

This milestone is a reflection of MSUAS’s commitment to fostering socially responsible, globally engaged graduates who contribute through research, innovation, and sustainable development.

Congratulations to Chioneso Mtakiwa and Ausely Takundwa on this outstanding accomplishment. Your achievement brings great pride to the MSUAS community and Zimbabwe as a whole.