On the 15th of November 2019, Midlands State University hosted Professor Clement Gwede, a Senior Behavioural Scientist from the Moffitt Cancer Center, in Florida (USA). Professor Gwede’s visit was aimed at learning more about the efforts being undertaken by the University in cancer research and to explore possible areas for collaboration.
Accompanied by MSU’s Dean of Medicine, Dr Reginald Matchaba-Hove, the Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Laurine Chikoko and community medicine specialist, Prof. Davison Munodawafa, Prof. Gwede’s visit began with a courtesy call on the MSU Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Academic Affairs, Professor Doreen Z. Moyo.
Professor Moyo welcomed Prof. Gwede and went on to present the University’s vision and research mandate, including the proposed Medical Hospital whose main focus will be on cancer research. She also highlighted the University’s on-going research on breast cancer.
In his presentation on the Moffitt Cancer Center, Prof. Gwede underscored its national and global position in cancer research and outlined opportunities for collaboration.
The courtesy call ended on a positive note, with both Prof. Moyo and Prof. Gwede agreeing to pursue a formal partnership between Midlands State University and Moffitt Cancer Center.
In other discussions, Prof Gwede together with Dr Matchaba-Hove, Prof. Chikoko and Prof. Munodawafa looked into possible modalities for taking forward key outcomes from the meeting with the PVC, Prof. Moyo.
Later in the afternoon, Prof. Gwede met with faculty from various departments in the faculties of Medicine and Science and Technology. This interaction with faculty helped bring to the fore potential opportunities for collaboration in the areas of cancer research. Prof. Gwede emphasized the need for building Team Sciences for cancer research, a theme that resonated with the Faculty of Medicine’s vision for establishing a Cancer Teaching Hospital in the future.
Professor Gwede was born in Mberengwa and educated at Berejena Secondary School before pursuing nursing training at Parirenyatwa School of Nursing. He left for the USA in 1986 where he studied and graduated with a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Health Promotion. He holds a dual appointment as Professor of Behavioral Science, University of South Florida and Senior Behavioural Scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center where his appointment is 90% cancer research.
Prof. Gwede’s visit was facilitated by Prof. Davison Munodawafa from Faculty of Medicine, MSU.