27 August 2026, The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chancellor of state universities, His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, presided over the graduation of 7,888 students at Midlands State University’s 27^th Graduation Ceremony in Kwekwe today, marking a landmark milestone in national human capital development.

The proceedings ran under the theme “Knowledge, Innovation, Enterprise: Building a Self-Sufficient Zimbabwe,” underscoring the institution’s strategic impact under the Education 5.0 philosophy.

High-energy cultural performances and dynamic musical acts electrified the main arena, sweeping thousands of graduates, academics, and guests into a jubilant celebration.

Addressing the grand assembly, Vice-Chancellor Professor V. N. Muzvidziwa declared: “This ceremony is a moment of national significance, a celebration of years of sacrifice, discipline and intellectual labour, and a reaffirmation of Midlands State University’s contribution to the national human capital development that drives Zimbabwe’s development agenda, NDS2, and the aspirations of Vision 2030”.

Women spearheaded the class, representing 55% of the graduating body alongside 45% male graduates drawn across 10 academic faculties.

The 7,888-strong graduating class featured 6,631 Honours graduates, 1,027 Master’s graduates, 19 PhD and Doctor of Business Leadership graduates, one MPhil graduate, and four international students.

Prominent figures capped during the proceedings included Colonel Miniyothabo Francisca Baloyi-Chiwenga (Doctor of Business Leadership), founding University Council Chairperson Advocate Canaan Dube (Doctor of Business Leadership), and High Court Judge Justice Gibson Mandaza (Master of Laws in Constitutional and Human Rights Law) among others.

Demonstrating direct alignment with national scientific priorities, 39% of the graduands completed degrees in critical skills disciplines, primarily within STEM fields.

The historic event celebrated key academic firsts, capping inaugural cohorts in the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Bachelor of Engineering in Fuels and Energy Engineering.

Highlighting global academic distinction, Professor Muzvidziwa presented the University’s Moot Court champions to President Mnangagwa after they won the 18^th Nelson Mandela World Moot Court Competition at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, marking their second consecutive world title.

Exemplifying industrialisation output, the Vice Chancellor announced: “Today, I am proud to inform you of the application of our modified coal tar technology, to the construction and tarring of a five-kilometre road connecting the ED Mnangagwa Law School through Amaveni, linking the campus to Kwekwe town”.

Professor Muzvidziwa added that the University’s modular chlorine water treatment plant at Holy Cross Dam is “set to deliver clean and safe water to communities in Chirumhanzu,” hailing it as a prime example of translating research into a public good.

As the ceremony concluded, newly capped professionals stepped into the future carrying the Vice-Chancellor’s charge to uphold the values of Ubuntu/Unhu, integrity, and service in building a self-sufficient Zimbabwe.