News / National
UZ Launches "Support Your University Campaign"
29 Apr 2012 at 17:55hrs | Views
The University of Zimbabwe 'Support Your University Campaign' was officially launched in Harare with Former South African President Thabo Mbeki saying Zimbabwe can lead the education programme on the African continent.
He said the launch of the campaign will be used as an example on the continent on how best universities can be supported successfully by former students, the general public and companies that benefit from the institution.
"The challenges that the University of Zimbabwe is facing are not unique to it, they are being faced by nearly all universities on the African continent. This unique programme therefore, will reinvigorate learning institutions not only in Zimbabwe but the whole of Africa," Mr Mbeki said.
Former South African President said his presence as patron to the initiative is in the spirit of solidarity and in recognition of the good relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa dating back to the liberation struggle and a few days after Zimbabwe got its independence when he visited the country.
Mr Mbeki said Zimbabweans should move away from the syndrome belief that government will provide and come up with the initiatives that can help provide the much needed more than US$70 million required to address the University of Zimbabwe challenges.
The country's oldest University is seeking to raise at least $70 million to cover the costs of the priority projects and to capitalise the endowment fund.
At the fundraising dinner a number of companies pledged in cash and kind with CBZ pledging $200 000, TN bank - US$150 000, ZNBC Group - US$100 000, FBC - US$10 000, Mr Chiyangwa - US$1,6 million and Mbada Diamonds among other companies adopting one of the University of Zimbabwe departments.
A committee of trustees that include Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara Finance Minister Tendai Biti, the African Sun CEO Shingi Munyeza , TN Bank CEO Tawanda Nyambirayi, MBCA bank CEO Mrs Charity Jinya and Kingdom Bank CEO Mr Nigel Chanakira among others has been put in place to oversee the initiative as well as transparent mechanisms for collecting and managing the contributions.
He said the launch of the campaign will be used as an example on the continent on how best universities can be supported successfully by former students, the general public and companies that benefit from the institution.
"The challenges that the University of Zimbabwe is facing are not unique to it, they are being faced by nearly all universities on the African continent. This unique programme therefore, will reinvigorate learning institutions not only in Zimbabwe but the whole of Africa," Mr Mbeki said.
Mr Mbeki said Zimbabweans should move away from the syndrome belief that government will provide and come up with the initiatives that can help provide the much needed more than US$70 million required to address the University of Zimbabwe challenges.
The country's oldest University is seeking to raise at least $70 million to cover the costs of the priority projects and to capitalise the endowment fund.
At the fundraising dinner a number of companies pledged in cash and kind with CBZ pledging $200 000, TN bank - US$150 000, ZNBC Group - US$100 000, FBC - US$10 000, Mr Chiyangwa - US$1,6 million and Mbada Diamonds among other companies adopting one of the University of Zimbabwe departments.
A committee of trustees that include Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara Finance Minister Tendai Biti, the African Sun CEO Shingi Munyeza , TN Bank CEO Tawanda Nyambirayi, MBCA bank CEO Mrs Charity Jinya and Kingdom Bank CEO Mr Nigel Chanakira among others has been put in place to oversee the initiative as well as transparent mechanisms for collecting and managing the contributions.
Source - Zbc
