Great Zimbabwe University

NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS
Great Zimbabwe University wishes to advise all students that a biometric access control system has been introduced at all University entry points. Beginning Tuesday, 12 May 2026, only registered students will be granted access to University premises and facilities. Students are therefore encouraged to regularise their registration status as soon as possible to avoid inconvenience.

School of Business Sciences holds AI Research Training for academics
More than 50 academics from the Great Zimbabwe University’s Munhumutapa School of Business Sciences and the Robert Mugabe School of Heritage and Education attended an in-house workshop on artificial intelligence yesterday, Friday 8 May 2025, as universities increasingly turn to digital tools to reshape research and teaching.
The training session, held at the Robert Mugabe School of Heritage and Education auditorium, focused on the use of Claude, an artificial intelligence platform designed to assist with academic research, writing and data analysis.
The workshop was led by Dr Tafirenyika Mashamba, a senior lecturer in the School of Business Sciences, who demonstrated how AI systems can be integrated into scholarly work, from literature reviews to drafting and organising research material.
The programme reflected a broader shift within higher education, where universities are moving to equip lecturers and researchers with skills suited to rapidly changing digital environments. Participants said the session introduced them to practical uses of AI in academic work and offered insight into how such tools could improve research productivity.
The training forms part of Great Zimbabwe University’s wider efforts to expand digital literacy among staff and adapt teaching and research practices to emerging technologies.

The Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Council induction workshop ended on Thursday at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel, with a call for adaptive leadership and stronger teamwork among council members.
A leadership change session led by Mr Radzokota Samanjese, the Chief Director Performance Management and Training, Corporate Governance Unit,
focused on navigating evolving institutional demands, stressing the need for flexibility and effective governance.
In closing remarks, Professor Rudo Makunike-Mutasa, GZU Council Vice Chairman, said integrity should underpin leadership to support sustainable development and institutional progress.
Council members later took part in team-building exercises designed to reinforce coordination, tolerance and collective responsibility. Activities, including tug of war, were used to illustrate the value of cohesion and collaboration in achieving shared goals, while also promoting gender equality and inclusivity in leadership.
Organisers said the workshop achieved its objectives of strengthening governance capacity and fostering a shared vision among council members.

GZU aligns academic research with industry needs
Great Zimbabwe University has intensified efforts to align academic research with industry needs through its Research and Innovation Day, a platform designed to bridge the gap between knowledge production and practical application.
Convened by the Julius Nyerere School of Social Sciences on Tuesday, the Research and Innovation Day brought together academics, students and industry stakeholders to examine how research outputs can be translated into solutions that support national development priorities.
University leadership said the initiative reflects a shift towards outcome-driven research, where innovation, commercialisation and collaboration with industry are increasingly central to higher education.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Jonas Zvobgo said universities require systems that support the conversion of research into usable outputs, placing innovation at the centre of teaching and institutional development.
In a keynote address, the Chairman of Great Zimbabwe University Council, Professor Mandivamba Rukuni said the relevance of university research depends on its alignment with production systems and market demand, pointing to the need for stronger integration between academia and industry.
Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Research, Business Development and Industrialisation, Professor Marian Tukuta said the Research and Innovation Day was designed to provide a platform for direct engagement between researchers and industry stakeholders, with a focus on implementation and commercialisation.
Industry participation formed a central component of the programme.
Industry keynote speaker Dr Eddison Muresherwa said a gap remains between research production and uptake, noting that a significant share of academic output is not utilised. She called for closer collaboration to improve relevance and application.
An industry presentation by Tichaona Chidhakwa of the Nyaradzo Group said proposed solutions should respond to social needs and be adaptable within existing economic structures.
Acting Executive Dean of the Julius Nyerere School of Social Sciences, Professor Herbert Zirima said the school is directing its research towards national economic and social priorities, reflecting a broader shift in higher education towards problem-oriented research.
A total of 45 presentations were delivered at the event with pitch sessions providing a platform for evaluating the feasibility, scalability and impact of proposed innovations. A panel led by Professor Emeritus Ndamba adjudicated the submissions.
The event concluded with the presentation of 12 awards recognising innovation, community impact and research-to-practice outcomes, underscoring the institution’s emphasis on measurable outputs and industry relevance.

GZU Council Induction Workshop – In Progress

Insightful engagements are currently underway at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel as the GZU Council Induction Workshop continues. The Question and Answer session has brought together distinguished facilitators who are sharing valuable perspectives on governance and leadership.
Contributions from Mr Edward Chikoto( Dandemutande Liquid representative), Mr Richard Mvududu (Business Consultant ), Mr Allen Choruma (Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President – Corporate Governance Unit), and Mr Radzokota Samanjeese (Coordinator) have enriched the discussions, offering practical insights into the role of leadership within higher education institutions.
The session has explored key issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening institutional governance the importance of understanding institutional mandates and the critical responsibility of the GZU Council in guiding the University’s strategic direction. Emphasis has also been placed on corporate governance in public entities as well as the need for effective macro-level planning and coordination.

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Day 2: GZU Council Induction Workshop highlights.

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GZU Council induction workshop opens with call for active governance and commercialisation

The Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda, has called on the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Council to prioritise regulatory compliance, strengthen corporate governance and accelerate the commercialisation of research outputs.

Honourable Sibanda delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Minister, Honourable Ambassador Dr Frederick Shava, at the GZU Council Induction and Corporate Governance Training Workshop at Great Zimbabwe Hotel, running from May 4 to 6.

He said the induction programme is intended to define the roles and responsibilities of council members and align their work with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.

Honourable Sibanda said GZU’s 2026–2030 strategic plan aligns with government policy frameworks, but added that its impact will depend on the quality of leadership and governance.
He said university operations are governed by statutory instruments and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act, and cautioned against departures from government policy.
“Universities are not run outside government frameworks,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said councils must provide active oversight and not function as ceremonial bodies.
“Councils must be strategic and ethical, providing oversight, ensuring accountability and driving performance,” he said.

He outlined three priority areas: stewardship and accountability, strategic leadership, and collaboration.
On stewardship, Hon. Sibanda said public institutions must account to taxpayers through transparent operations and measurable results.
He said councils should position universities to respond to developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, space science and industrial innovation, in line with the Education 5.0 framework.

He also called for closer links between universities and industry to ensure that graduates meet labour market needs and that research outputs are usable.
“The public expects to see tangible outputs,” he said, adding that commercialisation is now an economic imperative.

The Deputy Minister urged the council to develop a commercialisation strategy, put in place dedicated business development structures and ensure that university enterprises are viable.
He said institutions should broaden income streams beyond tuition fees.
On institutional development, he said the ministry expects GZU to expand infrastructure and strengthen its heritage-based mandate through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics programmes.
He said the ministry will support the institution but expects results from the council.
“Council members are custodians of national assets and must deliver outcomes that contribute to Zimbabwe’s development,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, GZU Council Chairperson Professor Mandivamba Rukuni said the council is responsible for governance, institutional relevance and quality education. He said Council were the key custodians of quality education at GZU.

During the opening session, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo presented the university’s mandate, outlining progress in the shift towards science, technology and innovation.

The workshop ends on May 6 and covers corporate governance, strategic alignment and institutional performance.