Principal Officers
Prof A Chawanda Vice Chancelor
Professor Albert Chawanda is a distinguished academic leader and researcher who has served as the Vice-Chancellor of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences since June 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Zimbabwe (1988–1990). He subsequently pursued doctoral research specialising in Electronic Materials and Thin Films, supported by prestigious awards including a University of Pretoria Postgraduate Bursary, a South African National Research Foundation (Blue Skies) Bursary, and an Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Bursary.
With over three decades of experience in higher education, Professor Chawanda has held several senior executive roles at Midlands State University, including Professor of Physics, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Executive Dean of Science and Technology. In these capacities, he was instrumental in formulating strategic plans for both Midlands State University and Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences. His academic record includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules such as Solid State Physics, Electronics, Fibre Optics, Electronic Materials, Thin Films, and Advanced Solid State Physics. He has supervised more than 15 MSc candidates, over 30 BSc Honours students, and two doctoral graduates, alongside serving as an external examiner for the Botswana International University of Science and Technology.
His research focuses on electronic materials, semiconductor physics, metal silicides and germanides, piezoelectric energy harvesting, and high-frequency propagation tools, yielding over 38 publications in peer-reviewed international journals. An award-winning academic, Professor Chawanda was named the 2019 MEGAFEST Eastern Region Platinum Winner for Public Sector Leader of the Year. He has facilitated UNESCO workshops on girls’ participation in STEM education, served as a reviewer for several leading Elsevier journals, and presented at international forums, including the Gordon Research Conference and the International Conference on the Formation of Semiconductor Interfaces.
A highly motivated and action-orientated professional, Professor Chawanda brings a wealth of experience across academia and industry.
Prof U Guyo Pro Vice Chancelor
Professor Upenyu Guyo is a distinguished academic leader, innovative researcher, and dynamic interdisciplinary scientist currently serving as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences. He holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Chemical Technology from Midlands State University (2006), a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Zimbabwe (2009), a PhD in Applied Chemistry from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa (2013), a Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching from Midlands State University (2015), and a Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Alison College (2024).
Professor Guyo possesses over sixteen years of university teaching, research, and innovation experience. Prior to his current appointment, he held several leadership positions at Midlands State University, including Executive Director of MSU Enterprises and Development, Deputy Executive Director and Acting Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Division, and Deputy Executive Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies, before his appointment as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences.
His technical expertise encompasses process organic synthesis, product formulation, natural product chemistry, flow chemistry, environmental remediation, and polymer synthesis. He has extensive laboratory experience in handling air-sensitive compounds, synthetic catalyst development, characterisation using NMR and IR spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, GC/FID, GC/MS, and HPLC, as well as process optimisation using response surface methodology and flow chemistry scale-up.
A frequent invited speaker on scientific writing, impactful science storytelling, and Fourth Industrial Revolution dialogues, Professor Guyo served as a session chair at the ACRID 2017 International Conference, an external examiner for the Chemistry Department at Bindura University of Science Education, and a voluntary teacher of A-Level Chemistry.
As an active researcher with over thirty articles in Scopus-indexed journals, Professor Guyo has delivered presentations at major international meetings, such as the IUPAC International Conferences on Green Chemistry (South Africa, Italy, Thailand, and Greece), the SARIMA Conferences (South Africa), and the First U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering and Medicine Symposium (Nairobi, Kenya).
Dr K Mudzingwa Registrar
Dr Kudzayishe Mudzingwa is an accomplished higher education administrator and governance professional with over 25 years of experience across university leadership, governance, academic administration, human resources management, and organisational development. He has served as the Registrar and Corporate Secretary to Council at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences since March 2024.
Dr Mudzingwa holds a PhD in Education Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA), where his thesis evaluated stakeholder perceptions of management development programmes for school heads in Zimbabwe. He holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Policy Planning from Zimbabwe Open University, alongside a Graduate Certificate in Education and a Bachelor of Arts (General) from the University of Zimbabwe. His professional qualifications include a Higher National Diploma in Human Resources Management (IPMZ), a Diploma in Training Management (IPMZ), and a Diploma in Payroll Management (Stallone Consultancy).
Throughout his career in higher education administration, Dr Mudzingwa served as Deputy Registrar for Academic Affairs at Midlands State University (2021–2024), overseeing the academic registry including admissions, registration, records, and examinations and advising executive management and Senate on academic regulations and policy implementation. Between 2016 and 2021, he was the Director of Work-Related Learning at Great Zimbabwe University, where he established strategic industry partnerships to foster work-integrated learning. He previously served at Great Zimbabwe University as Assistant Registrar in the Faculty of Education (2010–2016), managing daily faculty administration, admissions, records, examinations, graduation preparation, and procurement, while assisting the Dean with policy interpretation.
Dr Mudzingwa is a published researcher in educational leadership. His work includes published journal articles in the Journal of New Vision in Educational Research (2022), the South African Journal of Educational Leadership and Management (2022), African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning (2021), and the Journal of Studies in Social Sciences (2013). He also contributed a book chapter on the historical development of management theory within Zimbabwean schools to Contemporary Education Studies (ed. Chikoko, 2020). His core competencies include board governance and corporate secretariat functions, higher education leadership, and academic administration. Additionally, he possesses expertise in strategic and risk management alongside ESG integration, policy development, compliance oversight, performance management systems, training, capacity building, research supervision, stakeholder engagement, industry partnerships, and quality assurance.
In his capacity as Registrar and Secretary to Council at MSUAS, Dr Mudzingwa acts as the Chief Administrator and Corporate Secretary. He provides governance and advisory support, facilitates strategic planning and performance reviews, oversees staff and student records management, directs certification and graduation processes, and serves as a Trustee of the University Pensions Board.
Mr V T Japu Bursar
Mr. Victor Takunda Japu is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience in financial management, accounting, and higher education administration. He has served as the Bursar at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences since August 2018.
Mr. Japu holds a Master of Commerce in Accounting (2014) and a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting (2007) from Midlands State University. He also holds a National Diploma in Accountancy from the Ministry of Higher Education (1999) and a Diploma in Education (Mathematics Double Major) from the University of Zimbabwe (1994). He is registered as a Certified Public Accountant with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Zimbabwe (2015), as a Registered Public Accountant with the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB, 2016), and holds a Practising Certificate from the PAAB. His experience spans final accounts preparation, GAAP, IAS, and IFRS compliance, internal controls review, and the implementation of higher education statutes such as the Public Finance Management Act, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, and the ZIMCHE Act.
Prior to his appointment as Bursar at MSUAS, he served as Deputy Bursar (Accounting and Finance) at Manicaland College of Applied Sciences (2015–2017) and Deputy Bursar (Accounting and Finance) at Midlands State University (2009–2015). In these roles, he prepared final accounts for external audit, presented management accounts to university executives, managed budgets and capital allocation, reconciled accounts payable, managed specific funds in Pastel Evolution GL, and supervised a staff of 33. His earlier career at Midlands State University included roles as Senior Assistant Bursar (2008–2009), Chief Accounting Assistant (2004–2008), Senior Accounting Assistant (2003–2004), and Accounting Assistant (2000–2003), during which he assisted in computerising the university’s accounting system. He began his accounting career as an Accounts Clerk at E G Chari Accountants in Masvingo (1998–1999).
His operational competencies encompass debt capital negotiations, lease finance arrangements, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) documentation and negotiations, value-for-money analysis, project assessment, and grant acquittals. Additionally, he is skilled in year-end external audit management, implementing audit recommendations, control self-assessment, maintaining ledger accuracy, and managing payables and receivables. His expertise also covers statutory compliance, including ZIMRA PAYE, VAT, and NSSA returns donor fund management for programmes such as UNESCO O3+ and ILRI, payroll administration using Paywell, and asset register maintenance.
He holds executive certifications from the University of the Witwatersrand (Higher Education Management), Galilee International Management Institute (Advanced ICT Management; Interpersonal Skills and Public Speaking via Harvard University Extension School), and the Harare Institute of Technology (Cyber Crime Management). Additionally, he holds certifications in Sage Pastel Evolution ERP, IFRS for SMEs, Governance Risk Management and Compliance, Pensions Administration, and Paywell Payroll.
As Bursar at MSUAS, Mr Japu supports the Vice-Chancellor in reviewing and executing the University Strategic Plan, develops PPP documentation, participates in management committees, and compiles monthly performance and variance reports.
Mr A Makandwa Librarian
Mr. Amato Makandwa is an information professional with over 25 years of experience in library and information science, serving as the University Librarian at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences since September 2024.
He holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo (2008), a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from Zimbabwe Open University (2004), a National Diploma in Public Relations (awarded with Distinction, 1997), and a National Certificate in Library and Information Science (1997) from Harare Polytechnic College.
Mr Makandwa has progressed through various library administration roles. His core competencies focus on developing responsive collections, implementing technology-based e-environments, organizing information sources for efficient retrieval, conducting information literacy training, preserving institutional research output, and driving collaborative partnerships.
Before his current role, he served as Deputy Librarian at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (2018–2024) and Acting Deputy Librarian at MSU-Manicaland College of Applied Sciences (2015–2018). His earlier tenure at Midlands State University included appointments as Senior Assistant Librarian in Client Services (2010–2015), Assistant Librarian in Client Services (2007–2010), Assistant Librarian in Acquisitions (2006–2007), Assistant Librarian in Special Collections (2005–2006), Senior Library Assistant at the Reserve and Issue Desk (2003–2005), and Faculty of Arts Librarian. He began his library career as an Assistant Librarian at Masvingo Polytechnic College (1999–2002) and a Library Assistant at Harare Polytechnic College (1993–1999).
Mr. Makandwa has completed professional development workshops, including the Institute of Development Studies Pedagogy Training Workshop (Harare Institute of Technology, 2012), the INASP Marketing and Advocacy Workshop (University of Zimbabwe, 2012), the INASP Electronic Resource Usage Workshop (NUST, 2002), and the CDS/ISIS Library Management Systems Trainer Workshop.
His professional service includes leadership roles such as Treasurer of the Zimbabwe Library Association (ZIMLA) Gweru-Masvingo Branch and Advisory Council Member for the Information Science and Technology Department at Gweru Polytechnic College.
