Universities can never be self sufficient in terms of staffing especially in critical skills areas such as in the departments in the faculty of Commerce, Science and Technology, Natural Resources Management and all Masters Programmes in the Midlands State University.

Midlands State University has had to rely on other Universities and people from the corporate world to help with lecturing in some of their departments. The Science and Technology Dean Mr. Albert Chawanda gave the reasons why they have had to do so, he said, “There are very few people who are Masters holders in the fields of Science and Technology as only two universities in the country offer Masters programmes.

 “The few who enrolled for these programmmes were absorbed by industry or by the same universities that trained them.” Staff turnover was also noted to be very high because qualified personnel preferred migrating into the Diaspora even to do odd jobs below their professional qualifications just to get the hard currency. Mr. Chawanda also pointed out that in the department of Chemical Technology they hired people from industry because they were experienced in the practical field, which is also a crucial part in training for graduates from this institution if they are to be marketable. The University has created good relations with their part time lecturers; they are very reliable and sign contracts before they are engaged.

 Mr. Kizito Mbetu, the Dean in the Faculty of Commerce, pointed out that their faculty had found part time lecturers very useful since the departments have a wide range of courses offered. Without them, he said, it would be difficult to meet some of the challenges they are facing as a faculty.

 Mr. Jabulani Ncube the Assistant Registrar Personnel confirmed that the University hired part time lecturers who have been very useful and supportive in helping the University fulfill its mandate. He added that they have been forced to do so, because highly skilled lecturers are difficult to retain as the institution offers remuneration which is lower than that offered by the private sector. The major setback of late is that it has been it has become too expensive for the institution to take care of the part time lectures especially those who do not reside in Gweru. The university has to cater for their transport and accommodation costs before it remunerates them for the core business they are hired for.