Midlands State University through its Library Services Department has donated 8431 volumes of books to 5 Affiliate Colleges and 20 High Schools in the Midlands Province. The books are set to enhance the library capacity of the beneficiaries as part of the University’s concerted efforts to make a positive impact in the communities it serves in line with Education 5.0’s pillar on Community Service.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony at the University’s Gweru Main Campus on the 6th of March 2021, the Midlands State University, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business, Innovation and Enterprise Development, Professor Grace Mugumbate, said the donation is part of the institution’s drive to increase access to library books for learners and foster a reading culture among students.
“The books that we are donating today were sourced from a number of stakeholders and as an institution, we feel the need to nurture and support a culture of reading in our schools and colleges. We also seek to increase access to library books for learners across the country,” said Professor Mugumbate.
She also highlighted that the book donation was born out of the University Community Engagement and Social Cooperate responsibility thrust which is geared towards problem-solving and value creation.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting high schools, Midlands Provincial Education Director, Mr J Machimbira said books are a basic resource that is needed to facilitate learning in schools and hence the donation is a much-welcomed development that will go a long way in helping to capacitate high schools in the Midlands Province.
Mlezu College of Agriculture Vice-Principal, Mr E Madembo, who spoke on behalf of the affiliate colleges, commended the University for the generous donation, which he said will help to enhance the capacity of affiliate college libraries.
In her remarks, Midlands State University Librarian, Ms N P Chibanda expressed gratitude to the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor V N Muzvidziwa for spearheading the initiative under the University’s Community Engagement key result area.
Of the total books donated, 2504 volumes were donated to the Affiliate Colleges, while 5927 volumes were donated to High Schools.
The ceremony was attended by principals, headmasters, teachers and officials from various schools and colleges. Also in attendance were members of the MSU community, among them the acting Bursar, Mr D Zvidzayi, the Executive Director of International and Alumni Relations, Professor A T Manyawu and Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor H T Ngoshi.

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