BULAWAYO – The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has officially unveiled the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund, a landmark initiative specifically designed to support academically deserving students from disadvantaged backgrounds wishing to study critical Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The fund was formally launched during a spectacular Black Tie dinner held last Thursday evening, November 27, 2025, at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). The celebratory event, held under the theme “Investing in Futures,” also served a dual purpose as a congratulatory dinner for the university’s newly conferred Honorary Graduates, Dr. James Ross Goddard and Dr. Busisa Moyo. The ceremony successfully drew an influential audience of distinguished guests, including corporate leaders, alumni, government officials, and senior members of the academic community, underscoring NUST’s commitment to advancing academic excellence and celebrating outstanding contributions to society.
In his welcome remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor M.E. Dlodlo passionately articulated the fund’s vision to remove financial barriers and nurture talent within the vital STEM pipeline. He declared that the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund is not merely a safety net, but a launchpad, and NUST’s promise to the nation that raw talent, especially in critical STEM areas, will never be stifled by economic hardship. “We are directly investing in the human capital that will drive our nation’s innovation agenda,” he said. The launch featured a compelling live pledge drive, reinforcing the university’s #ChooseNUST vision of academic excellence and societal impact through targeted support for future scientists and technologists. In a keynote address delivered on her behalf, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Metropolitan Province of Bulawayo, Hon. Judith Ncube, commended NUST for its pivotal role in regional development and for establishing a scholarship fund that directly strengthens the national STEM pipeline.
The establishment of the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund is a direct and strategic response by NUST to the government’s key national development frameworks, reinforcing NUST’s position as the home of STEM in the country. The fund directly operationalises Heritage-Based Education 5.0 by focusing on pouring resources into supporting the community Innovation, Industrialisation, and Modernisation. By prioritising disadvantaged students in STEM fields, the fund ensures that the skilled human capital needed to develop local solutions and drive national industrialisation is nurtured from all societal strata. This inclusive approach directly contributes to the core goals of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), specifically the pillar of Human Capital Development and Well-being. The fund ensures that the best minds, regardless of economic background, are trained to address the country's economic structural transformation goals, moving Zimbabwe towards an upper-middle-income society by 2030. By providing financial opportunities to talented students from marginalised and low-income backgrounds, the Scholarship Fund helps to democratize access to critical technical education. This action significantly reduces inequalities in educational opportunities, directly feeding into Vision 2030 by ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and driven by homegrown innovation. The fund helps NUST fulfil its mandate to serve the nation by giving opportunities to all, ensuring that the country's future innovators, industrialists, and researchers reflect the diversity and full potential of Zimbabwe's populace.
The emotional highlight of the evening came during the Honourary Graduates Speak segment, where pre-recorded video interviews with the honourees were screened. Dr. Goddard reflected: “Receiving this recognition from an institution as crucial as NUST is profoundly humbling. I was genuinely overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised; it affirms that the work we do, often behind the scenes, is making a tangible difference to society.” Dr. Moyo added: “To stand among NUST’s celebrated figures is an honour I never anticipated. I was truly overwhelmed, but the surprise was quickly replaced by immense pride. I hope this recognition inspires the next generation of students to strive for excellence.”
Congratulatory messages from business leaders and colleagues poured in, with one corporate partner describing Dr. Goddard’s impact as “monumental,” while a colleague hailed Dr. Moyo’s recognition as validation of “decades of relentless dedication.” Special tribute was paid to partners and friends of NUST, highlighting the indispensable synergy between academia and industry in advancing the university’s development agenda. The success of the event definitively reaffirms NUST’s commitment to empowering students, particularly those poised to drive Zimbabwe’s critical STEM innovation sector.
For support and partnership opportunities with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund, please contact the NUST Communication and Marketing Department on +263 292 282 842 EXT 2231.
