Mugabe scholarship scheme to be extended to Asian countries

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe says plans are in the offing to honour President Robert Mugabe's long and close friendship with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed through the establishment of an educational programme which extends the Presidential scholarship programme to the Asian country.

This was revealed when Minister Mushohwe held bilateral talks with the visiting Vice Chancellor of University Utara Malaysia at his offices in Harare on Friday.

During the meeting Minister Mushohwe explained to the visiting University Utara Vice Chancellor Mohamed Mustafa Ishak the origins of the Presidential scholarship programme which began in 1995 at Fort Hare University in South Africa through the friendship between two of Africa's dozens of Pan-Africanists, Mugabe and the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

The scholarship which has since spread to other universities in South Africa has churned over 20 000 professionals who are now forming part of Zimbabwe's civil service.

The University Utara Vice Chancellor said his institution which specialises in educating managers said he is willing to partner with Zimbabwe in that aspect and said the deliberations should be handled by the Malaysian embassy in Harare.

Vice Chancellor Mustafa Ishak came to Zimbabwe at the invitation of the National Defence College where he presented a lecture early this week.