The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) graduated 2 570 students at its 32nd graduation ceremony, with 68 percent of the graduands receiving STEM qualifications as the university seeks to strengthen its contribution to Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda.
Of the graduands, 47 percent were female and 53 percent male, while five students graduated with Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
A total of 293 students graduated with First Class and Distinctions, while 212 were from NUST affiliate institutions and 19 were international students from Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Mauritius and Zambia.
Three students are graduating posthumously.
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The ceremony was held under the theme, “Innovative Graduates, Industrial Futures.”
NUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo said enrolment at the facility had increased from 11 432 to 13 352 students, while female participation had risen from 46 percent to 47 percent.
“Female participation increased from 46% to 47%, reaching 52% in the August 2026 intake,” said Prof Dlodlo.
He said the university was also strengthening its academic capacity despite staff attrition, with the number of Full and Associate Professors increasing from 44 to 63.
Prof Dlodlo noted that the university has also recorded recognition for its research and innovation work.
“NUST also won the Gold Medal for Best Exhibit in the Education and Training category at the 66th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in April 2026,” he said.
“This marked the second year in a row that NUST captured first place in its sector, having also won top honours at ZITF 2025.”
He noted that NUST students had also made their mark through innovation, with engineering students emerging overall champions at the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers Awards.
“During the year, our students produced innovations that received recognition national, regional and global,” he said.
Prof Dlodlo said NUST was also pursuing projects aimed at supporting industrialisation, including medicinal cannabis research, experimental mining and the agro-industrial park in Bulilima.
“The NUST Agro-Industrial Park, located in Bulilima District… is now at 95% completion,” he said.
Prof Dlodlo said the university is also working towards opening the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Ekusileni Hospital as a specialist teaching and research institution before the end of the year.
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