First-year first semester students have undergone an Orientation Programme to help them to familiarize with life at the University of First Choice. The freshmen were taken through the registration process and introduced to key service departments within the University ahead of lectures which commence on Monday the 27th of August and end on the 14th of December, 2018.
The orientation programme was held simultaneously at both the University`s Gweru Main Campus and Zvishavane Campus on Wednesday the 22nd of August, 2018. To ensure that the new students hit the ground running, different faculties and service departments from within and without the University gave presentations and distributed vital information to students related to their academic, social, health and spiritual lives.
Speaking during the programme at the Gweru Main Campus, Midlands State University’s Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Academic Affairs, Professor Doreen Moyo urged students to take responsibility of their lives by shunning unsavoury characters that may ruin their chances of attaining a bright future through the institution.
She said: ‘While you are here at Midlands State University you will have the opportunity to learn new things, acquire new knowledge, develop new skills and enhance your personal attributes in profound ways that will equip you for life after university. At the same time, you will also form new friendships that will bind you to the Midlands State University Alumni for the rest of your life. At university, you will discover that being a lone ranger will not take you far. You need to collaborate with classmates and form discussion groups that will enhance your critical thinking skills. To survive at university, you need to take responsibility of your lives. No one else will do it for you.’
The Deputy Registrar Academic Affairs, Mr Ivene Gumbo also took the opportunity to explain to students how the University operates as well as its structure. While the Executive Dean of Students Mr Isheunesu Chaka told the students that being at the Midlands State University will open new opportunities which other students are already enjoying through their participation in various co-curricular activities.
‘Currently, we have students with enterprising projects who have just won national competitions and will be representing Zimbabwe and Midlands State University in Silicon Valley in the next six weeks and some of them are first years, so these are some of the opportunities which present themselves as you begin your journey at MSU,’ he said.
The University has welcomed at least two thousand new students who are joining various departments across the University`s nine faculties.