MSU Confers Degrees on 7,888 Graduands

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday conferred degrees on 7,888 graduands at Midlands State University (MSU) during the institution’s 27th graduation ceremony. The event took place at the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School on the university’s Kwekwe Campus under the theme “Knowledge, Innovation, and Enterprise: Building a Self-Sufficient Zimbabwe.”

Among the notable graduates was Vice President Chiwenga’s wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Francisca Baloyi-Chiwenga, who received a Doctor of Business Leadership degree. According to reports, her doctoral research examined how the government can balance defence expenditure with spending on civilian priorities—a challenge often described as the “guns versus butter” dilemma.

Female Students Continue to Outnumber Males

The ceremony continued an emerging trend of women outnumbering men among MSU graduates. Female students accounted for 55% of the graduating cohort, compared to 45% males, according to figures provided by university officials.

MSU Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa said the ceremony held great national significance as it celebrated years of sacrifice, discipline and intellectual labour in line with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030.

“Today we graduate 7,888 graduands, drawn from the university’s 10 faculties, 55 percent female and 45 percent male, 6,631 graduated with Honours Degrees, 1,027 with Master’s Degrees, and 19 with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Business Leadership Degrees,” he said.

Focus on STEM and New Programmes

Muzvidziwa said 39% of the graduands completed degrees in critical skills disciplines, mainly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The 2026 graduating cohort also produced the university’s first graduates in the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Bachelor of Engineering in Fuels and Energy Engineering.

MSU Moot Court Team Crowned World Champions

In a separate achievement, the MSU Moot Court team was crowned World Champions at the 18th Nelson Mandela World Moot Court Competition held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Graduates’ Remarks

Baloyi-Chiwenga said her achievement was important in demonstrating to young Zimbabweans that success requires hard work and perseverance. She emphasised that there are no shortcuts in life. “I feel like it’s important for every Zimbabwean, especially the girl child, because I went through each and every step that every Zimbabwean is supposed to go through. So it teaches them that there are no shortcuts in life,” she said.

Also among the graduates was Zimpapers Group Digital Services Executive Elias Mambo, who received a Master of Commerce Degree in Strategy and Innovation.