Advocate Cannan F. Dube returns to defend his doctoral thesis from the Institution He Helped Shape
Midlands State University (MSU) recently hosted the PhD viva voce (oral examination) of Advocate Cannan F. Dube, the University’s inaugural Chairperson of Council, marking a significant moment as he returned to the institution he helped shape during its formative years.
Advocate Dube defended his doctoral thesis titled “Ethics Driven Leadership, Board Functions and Sustainable Firm Performance in Zimbabwe’s Listed Entities” during an open viva voce session held on 9 March 2026 at the MSU Main Campus in Gweru.
The viva voce forms a critical stage in the doctoral examination process where candidates present and defend their research before a panel of examiners.
During the session, Advocate Dube responded to questions and engaged in scholarly discussion on the theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions of his study, which examines the relationship between ethical leadership, corporate governance structures, and sustainable performance in Zimbabwe’s listed companies.
Advocate Dube occupies a special place in the history of Midlands State University. As the inaugural Chairperson of the MSU Council, he played a pivotal role in guiding the University during its early years, helping to shape its governance framework and strategic direction.
His leadership helped lay the institutional foundations on which MSU has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s leading institutions of higher learning.
Years later, his return to MSU as a doctoral candidate reflects a strong commitment to lifelong learning, scholarship, and intellectual development. The occasion also symbolises the enduring relationship between the University and individuals who have contributed to its growth and development.
University officials and members of the academic community who attended the session acknowledged the significance of the moment, noting that Advocate Dube’s academic journey demonstrates the University’s continued role in fostering advanced research and postgraduate scholarship.
Advocate Dube’s participation in the viva voce serves as an inspiring example to professionals and scholars alike of the value of continued academic inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge.