I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Midlands State University community for working as team MSU to ensure that the institution becomes a leading, innovative, entrepreneurial and technologically-driven world class university. Let me make a special welcome to our revered students at a critical and challenging time when the whole world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic. In line with the World Health Organisation’s guidelines and parameters set by our Government, MSU has embraced the blended learning approach and has scaled down on face-to-face lectures and has migrated lectures to online platforms. We have reduced staff and students presence on all our campuses in order to comply with social distancing and safety standards. As a stake-holder driven institution, our priority in these challenging times is the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and the wider MSU community. Our teaching and non-teaching departments have also put in place robust systems to continuously provide support to our valued students. I am honoured and privileged to lead the Midlands State University during times such as this.
MSU is a student centred University with a solid background and tradition of excellence laid twenty years ago. Students are the heart and pulse of the University and the very reason for our existence. (Universities have a key role in creating the future and our research, teaching and community engagement are geared towards innovations that can be commercialized for the industrialization of our country). This is the letter and spirit of Education 5.0. The current Covid-19 related challenges must not derail this vision, but spur us to greater heights as we excel in innovations and entrepreneurial works. Midlands State University staff have consistently received accolades that recognize their research excellence. We have excellent and passionate students drawn from diverse backgrounds and cultures. We are committed to make a difference. We seek to nurture well rounded and holistic graduates who are much sought-after across the globe. To confirm that our academic programmes meet high standards of international best practice in higher education and training, all our programmes are accredited with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education. Notably, our Graduate School of Business Leadership programmes also have international accreditation with the Association of African Business Schools (AABS) and the Central and East European Management Development Association (CEEMAN).
Since inception of the University in 1999, MSU has produced over 55 000 fine alumni of character and integrity. We therefore take immense pride in producing high flying alumni who are useful to society and look forward to your becoming part of this network of excellent global citizens.
In these unprecedented times, I call upon you to display the best of your qualities. We will continue to bank on your guaranteed spirit of hard work, collaboration where circumstances demand that you do so and respect for others.
I am grateful to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, the University Council, Senate, staff and students and the wider MSU community for contributing to making the University a success story by providing high quality educational experiences conducive to attainment of education 5.0 goals.
Please stay safe, practice social distancing and healthy habits to protect yourself and others as we combat Covid-19.
Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa
Vice Chancellor of the Midlands State University