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Midlands State University

Former names	Gweru Teachers' College
Motto	Our Hands,Our Mind,Our Destiny
Type	Public
Established	2000
Chairman	Doctor Engineer Caleb Makwiranzou^[1]
Chancellor	Emmerson Mnangagwa ex officio as President of Zimbabwe^[2]
Vice-Chancellor	Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa^[3]
Students	31,000
Undergraduates	28,000
Postgraduates	3,000
Location	Senga, Gweru, Zvishavane , Midlands , Zimbabwe 19°30′58″S 29°49′59″E / 19.516°S 29.833°E / -19.516; 29.833
Campus	Urban
Colors	Gold and Sky Blue
Nickname	MSU
Website	[1]

Midlands State University is a government owned university in Zimbabwe. The university has 9 faculties (Agriculture, Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Medicine) offering a wide variety of courses and many specialist programmes. The university is accredited through the National Council for Higher Education, under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education of Zimbabwe.

The main campus is located in Gweru the third largest city in Zimbabwe. The university adopted a multi campus system therefore it has a satellite campus in the mining town of Zvishavane and other campuses located in the city of Gweru. TelOne campus is the second popular campus after Main campus.

History

The idea of a university in the Midlands Province dates back to the foundation of the National University of Science and Technology when Gweru, which was identified as a possible site for a second university campus in the country, lost its bid to Bulawayo. Two other opportunities to host institutions of higher learning (the Open University and the Catholic University) were also missed by the Midlands Province, when the two universities went to Harare. It was in the midst of such disappointments that two initiatives converged to give birth to what has since become the Midlands State University. The President R G Mugabe, on the nudging of the provincial political leadership of the Midlands, accepted the idea of a national university being built in the Midlands. This coincided with the then Ministry of Higher Education and Technology's policy of devolution, which was aimed at expanding access to higher education by converting teachers and technical colleges into degree granting institutions. It was through the process of devolution that beginning in 1998 Gweru Teachers College started to enrol students studying for the Bachelor of Commerce with Education and the Bachelor of Science with Education degrees offered by the University of Zimbabwe.

In the meantime, although the devolution policy inaugurated an irrevocable process of bringing university education to the Midlands, there was a strong feeling, especially in the Province, that what was being done did not quite amount to the President's promise of a fully fledged state university in the province. Responding to these feelings, but without losing sight of constraints imposed on Government by declining national funds, the Minister of Higher Education and Technology transformed the devolution project at Gweru into Zimbabwe's third state university by means of the State University in the Midlands Act of April 1999.

The new university, whose name was later changed to the Midlands State University, was to be housed at the Gweru Teachers College premises.

Organisation

The titular head of the university is the Chancellor, who is the President of Zimbabwe. The university is governed by a University Council, comprising the university's chief officers, representatives of the Senate, staff and students, nominees of the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education and representatives form various sectors of commerce and civil society. The chief executive of the university is the Vice-Chancellor, who is appointed by the Chancellor after consultation with the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education and the University Council. The Vice-Chancellor is assisted by one or more Pro–Vice-Chancellors, appointed by the University Council with the approval of the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education.

The academic authority of the university is vested in the Senate, comprising the university's chief officers, the deans of faculties, all full professors, the chairmen of departments and staff and student representatives. The university is divided into faculties, managed by an executive dean and governed by a Faculty Board comprising all professors and lecturers.

Academic programmes

The degree programmes and courses on offer are strengthened through flexible packaging of modules. Flexible packaging allows students studying for a particular degree to make themselves more marketable by including in this package of studies more modules from other programmes.

Fully semesterised university

Midlands State University is a fully semestered and modularised University. Enrolment takes place twice a year, in March and in August. Modules offered at any level in a semester are available at the same level during the next semester. This arrangement gives an opportunity to those students who, at the end of a semester are required to 'carry' or 'repeat' failed modules to do so in the next semester.

Students enrolled at MSU study for four-year or five-year degree programmes spending their Third Level on Work Related Learning in industry and other work places. Work Related Learning is an approach to teaching and learning which requires a student to spend some time during the course of study on 'hands on' practical experience.

Student life

Residences There is a large number of flats which house male and female students separately. Many of the flats are named after prominent anti-colonial patriots such as Kaguvi and Nehanda. In 2013, the university constructed new halls of residence so as to cope with the increasing number of undergraduates.^[4] MSU is also currently constructing Halls of residence at its Telone Campus, and these are the most expensive and stylish hostels. The Batanai Campus has two hostels namely Rutendo and Ruzivo. Below is a table of all hostels and their locations:

Halls of Residence^[5]
Campus Location	Hostel	Gender	Occupants/Room
Batanai Campus	Rutendo	Female	2
Batanai Campus	Ruzivo	Female	1
Main Campus	Uhuru	Male	2
Main Campus	Dzapasi	Male	4
Main Campus	Magamba	Male	6
Main Campus	Runyararo	Female	2
Main Campus	Wadzanai	Female	2
Main Campus	Rufaro	Male	2
Main Campus	Nyadzonya	Male	2
Main Campus	Rusununguko	Male	2
Main Campus	Kaguvi	Female	2
Main Campus	Nehanda	Female	2
Main Campus	China	Female	5
Main Campus	Japan	Male	5

These hostels, however cannot accommodate all students and may not be preferred or afforded by all students therefore a lot of students are accommodated in close neighbourhoods that include Senga, KMP, Nehosho, Windsor Park, Daylesford, Kopje and Gweru East.

Ranking

MSU is featured in major international rankings such as the Times Higher Education Supplement, QS World University Rankings or the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is ranked number one in Zimbabwe as the fastest growing in Zimbabwe and it is ranked number two in Zimbabwe

Campuses

Midlands State University has many campuses and these include

Main Campus in Gweru
Telone Campus which accommodates the Business and Law students in Gweru
Batanai Campus which accommodates the School of Tourism and Hospitality studies in Gweru
Harare Campus in Harare^[6]
Mutare Campus which houses most Engineering programmes in Mutare
ZVishavane Campus in the mining town of Zvishavane^[7]

In 2018, MSU also announced plans of opening another campus in Redcliff Town and back in 2015 news hit the newspapers that MSU had been given land to open a Law School in Kwekwe.^[8]

References

External links

Universities in Zimbabwe

Association of African Universities

Association of African Universities
Algeria	Algiers 1 University Constantine 1 University Oran 1 University Université Badji Mokhtar d'Annaba Université des sciences et de la technologie d'Oran Université Des Sciences Islamiques University of Ouargla University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene
Angola	Agostinho Neto University
Benin	African University For Cooperative Development Edexcel University Poma International Business University Université de Parakou University of Abomey-Calavi
Botswana	Botho University Botswana Accountancy College Botswana International University of Science and Technology Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources New Era College Of Arts, Science And Technology University of Botswana
Burkina Faso	Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement Institut Supérieur d’Informatique et de Gestion L'Université Aube Nouvelle Nazi Boni University University of Ouagadougou
Burundi	École normale supérieure de Bujumbura University of Burundi
Cameroon	Ecole Nationale Superieure Des Travaux Publics De Yaoundé Institut Universitaire du Golfe de Guinée Maflekumen Higher Institute Of Health Sciences Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa University of Bamenda University of Buea University of Douala University of Dschang University of Maroua University of Ngaoundéré University of Yaoundé I
Cape Verde	Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde
Central African Republic	EUCLID University of Bangui
Chad	University of N'Djamena
Republic of the Congo	Marien Ngouabi University
Cote D'Ivoire	Agitel - Formation École nationale supérieure de statistique et d'économie appliquée Institut universitaire d'Abidjan International University of Grand-Bassam Pigier Côte d'Ivoire Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny Université Nangui-Abrogoua Université Pelefero Gon Coulibaly Université Tertiaire et Technologique LOKO
Democractic Republic of the Congo	Catholic University of Bukavu Université catholique du Congo Université Loyola du Congo Université Simon Kimbangu University of Kinshasa University of Kisangani University of Lubumbashi
Egypt	Ain Shams University Al-Azhar University Alexandria Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology Alexandria University Benha University Cairo University Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology Egyptian e-Learning University Helwan University Mansoura University Matrouh University Menoufia University Minya University Misr University for Science and Technology October 6 University Pharos University in Alexandria South Valley University Suez Canal University Tanta University The American University in Cairo The British University in Egypt University of Sadat City Zagazig University
Eritrea	University of Asmara
Eswatini	University of Eswatini
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa Science and Technology University Addis Ababa University Bule Hora University Ethiopian Civil Service University Haramaya University Hawassa University Jimma University Mekelle University St. Mary's University Wollega University
Gabon	Omar Bongo University Université Des Sciences & Techniques De Masuku
Ghana	Accra Institute of Technology Accra Technical University African University College of Communications All Nations University Ashesi University Bluecrest University College Central University Dominion University College George Grant University of Mines and Technology Ghana Institute of Languages Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Koforidua Technical University Kumasi Technical University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Methodist University College Ghana Pentecost University Presbyterian University College Radford University College Regent University College of Science and Technology Regional Maritime University University for Development Studies University of Cape Coast University of Education, Winneba University of Energy and Natural Resources University of Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences University of Professional Studies University of Media, Arts and Communication Valley View University Wisconsin International University College Zenith University College
Kenya	African Virtual University Catholic University of Eastern Africa Daystar University Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Egerton University International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenyatta University Maseno University Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Moi University Mount Kenya University Multimedia University of Kenya South Eastern Kenya University Strathmore University Umma University University of Eldoret University of Nairobi
Lesotho	National University of Lesotho
Liberia	Cuttington University Stella Maris Polytechnic University United Methodist University
Libya	Al Asmarya University for Islamic Sciences Al Zawiya University Misurata University Sabha University University of Al-Jabal Al Gharbi University of Benghazi University of Tripoli
Madagascar	University of Antsiranana University of Antananarivo University of Fianarantosoa University of Mahajanga University of Toamasina University of Toliara
Malawi	DMI-St. John the Baptist University Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Malawi University of Science and Technology UNICAF University of Malawi
Mali	University of Bamako
Mauritania	University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya
Mauritius	Open University of Mauritius University of Mauritius University of Technology, Mauritius
Morocco	Mohammed First University Mohammed V University University of al-Qarawiyyin
Mozambique	Catholic University of Mozambique Eduardo Mondlane University Maputo University Zambeze University
Namibia	International University of Management Namibia University of Science and Technology University of Namibia
Niger	Abdou Moumouni University Higher Institute of Mining, Industry and Geology Maryam Abacha American University Niger
Nigeria	Abia State University Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Adamawa State University Ahmadu Bello University Al-Hikmah University Babcock University Bayero University Bells University of Technology Bowen University Crawford University Delta State University, Abraka Ebonyi State University Federal University of Technology, Minna Federal University of Technology, Owerri Federal University of Technology, Yola Gombe State University Kogi State University Kwara State University Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Michael Okpara University of Agriculture National Open University of Nigeria Niger Delta University Nnamdi Azikiwe University Osun State University Pan-Atlantic University Redeemer's University Rivers State University University of Abuja University of Africa University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Benin University of Calabar University of Ibadan University of Ilorin University of Lagos University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo Usman Dan Fodio University
Rwanda	Université Nationale du Rwanda
Sierra Leone	Njala University University of Sierra Leone
Somalia	Benadir University East Africa University Puntland State University
South Africa	Cape Peninsula University of Technology Central University of Technology Council on Higher Education Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University North-West University Rhodes University University of Cape Town University of Fort Hare University of Johannesburg University of KwaZulu-Natal University of the Free State University of Limpopo University of Pretoria University of South Africa University of Stellenbosch University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand University of Venda University of Zululand Walter Sisulu University
South Sudan	University of Juba
Sudan	El Imam El Mahdi University National College for Medical and Technical Studies Omdurman Ahlia University Red Sea University University of Bakht er Ruda University of Dalanj University of Science and Technology
Tanzania	Ardhi University Muslim University of Morogoro Mzumbe University St. Augustine University of Tanzania The Open University of Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Zanzibar University
The Gambia	University of the Gambia
Togo	Université de Kara Université de Lomé
Uganda	Busitema University Uganda Christian University Uganda Management Institute Uganda Martyrs University
Zambia	Cavendish University Copperbelt University Mulungushi University University of Lusaka College University of Zambia Zambian Open University
Zimbabwe	Africa University Bindura University of Science Education Chinhoyi University of Technology Great Zimbabwe University Harare Institute of Technology Lupane State University Midlands State University National University of Science and Technology University of Zimbabwe Women’s University in Africa Zimbabwe Open University

Gweru District

Gweru District
Capital: Gweru
Dams/Reservoirs	Whitewaters Dam Insukamini Dam Shagari Dam Deanfield Dam Ngamo Dam Sombibi Dam
Rivers	Vungu River Shangani River Gweru River Manzamunyama River
Highways/Roads	Harare-Bulawayo Highway Gweru-Mvuma Road Gweru-Zvishavane Road Gweru-Lower Gweru Road
Museums/Monuments	Gweru Museum Nalatale Danangombe
Settlements	Lower Gweru Dabuka Gweru-Thornhill Air Base
Health Centres	Gweru General Hospital
Irrgation Schemes	Mambanjeni Mutorahuku
Education	Gweru Polytechnic Institute Chaplin High School Thornhill High School Midlands Christian College Nashville Secondary School Fletcher High School Riverside School Midlands State University Chikwingwizha Seminary St Patricks Mission
Culture and sport	Roman Catholic Diocese of Gweru Ascot Stadium Chapungu United Wha Wha FC
Notable People	Energy Murambadoro Mandy Loots Nkululeko Sibanda Patrick Kombayi Gary Teichmann Malcolm Grainger Ray Reed Shimmer Chinodya Christopher Muzvuru Gerald B. Clarke Orlando Lourenco Paddington Mhondoro Alec Smith Brendan Ashby Welshman Ncube Lovemore Majaivana Elson Moyo Thomas Sweswe
Constituencies	Chiwundura Vungu Gweru Urban Mkoba
Industries	Moto (magazine) Unki mine

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