THE Midlands State University has established a 10th faculty, the Built Environment, Art and Design, which aims to address skills shortages identified in the 2018 National Critical Skills Audit Report.
Announcing the development at the 24th graduation ceremony last Friday, MSU vice-chancellor Professor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa said the new faculty would tap into the heritage based development philosophy through producing ecofriendly designs, locally produced materials, and the latest water and sewerage treatment processes.
“Our vision is for the faculty to be the academic and consulting faculty of first choice in the built environment sector, nationally and beyond,” he said.
Muzvidziwa said the introduction of the new faculty is a milestone in the human capital development endeavour aimed at addressing the skills shortages in the country.
He said the institution had made positive strides towards nurturing global linkages with universities in Cote d’lvoire, Botswana, Malawi and Asia. The MSU has campuses in Gweru, Harare, Zvishavane, and Bulawayo. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is Chancellor of State Universities, capped a total of 8 332 graduands at the ceremony. —New Ziana