Midlands State University (MSU) prides itself in producing innovative and enterprising students and as testimony to its proclamation, the University received the “Enterprise Innovation Award” in the Education and Training category at the 2018 Business Leadership and Enterprise Competitiveness Summit. The summit, which was held on the 22nd of March at the Meikles Hotel in Harare, under the theme, ‘Expanding Access to New Markets’, was hosted by Mtilikwe Financial Services.
The award is in recognition of the institution’s unwavering commitment to the provision of excellent service delivery to its stakeholders through an innovative and integrated information management system. The system has eased the way of doing business with the University as prospective students are able to apply and register online. Its integration with financial institutions allows students to pay tuition fees through any linked financial institution and the payments are captured in real time and automatically updated on the student’s e-learning account. Its Information Management System, popularly known as Changamire introduced a radio-frequency identification (RFID) access control system, which allows only bonafide students to access University resources. The RFID student cards (gold cards), have seen students accessing a host of services that include library facilities, e-resources and other learning materials from anywhere in the world, examination results, application and allocation of students accommodation as well as canteen services.
As the University continues to invest and promote the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), great strides have been made to promote economic use of resources by ensuring that University services including access to WiFi are restricted to bonafide staff and students.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Terence Mukupe, implored the business community and government institutions to take advantage of the new dispensation to utilize the opportunities that are opening up in the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ campaign. He further challenged universities and research institutions to invest in research and development and come up with projects that can be commercialized.
Speaking after receiving the award, the MSU Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor V N Muzvidziwa expressed gratitude on behalf of the University for such recognition. ‘We are extremely thrilled by this award and it energizes us to be more innovative in our service delivery. We always strive to satisfy our stakeholders particularly, the students. Our vision is to produce relevant and holistic graduates who are determined to contribute to socio-economic development as entrepreneurs,’ he noted.
Several organizations were honoured for demonstrating innovation in various categories. Among the institutions that received awards were Steward Bank, Trauma Centre, Pote Hill Hotel in the Financial Services, Health and Hospitality categories respectively.
Among those who attended the conference were representatives from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, ZimTrade Chairman, Mr Lance Jena, Confederation of Zimbabwean Industries Chief Executive Officer, Dr Anxious Masuka, The MSU Bursar, Mr A Zvandasara was also among delegates who attended the summit.
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