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THE National University of Science and Technology’s (NUST) Applied Genetics Testing Centre (AGTC) has been conferred with the Medal of Meritorious Service Commendation Award by his Excellency, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

The AGTC, since its establishment in 2014 as the country’s first centre for DNA Testing services, has distinguished itself as a centre of excellence for human and livestock identification, medical diagnosis and forensic analysis.

It has performed over 3 000 human and DNA identification tests, servicing clients across the country and collaborating with foreign laboratories in the United Kingdom and Australia in human identification for immigration purposes.

The country’s premier DNA Testing Centre offers forensic services to different Government departments including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Civil Protection Unit (CPU).

AGTC has assisted in the identification of complex forensic and national disaster victims, notably, victims who were burnt beyond recognition in road traffic accidents in the Mvuma Bus Disaster (23 victims), Mvurwi Bus Accident (11 victims), Guruve Commuter Omnibus (6 victims), West Nicholson Bus Disaster (32 victims), Beitbridge (4 Victims) and an explosion in Lionsden (5 victims).

It has solved over 1 000 forensic cases for the Zimbabwe Republic Police including murder, sexual assault, unlawful entry and stock-theft.

The Centre is currently working on the identification of over 150 Cyclone Idai Zimbabwean Victims who were buried unidentified in Mozambique. The complex exercise is set to be completed in October 2021.

When Covid-19 hit the country in early 2020, AGTC used its equipment and deployed staff to set up a PCR Testing Centre at the National TB Reference Laboratory at Mpilo Hospital from April to December 2020, servicing five provinces of Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Midlands. By the time the Government took over the testing programme, AGTC had tested over 40 000 samples.

Currently, AGTC is leading a research in the development of capacity to produce Covid-19 (and other pathogens) testing reagents, a major breakthrough in the fight against the pandemic and handling of other diseases like HIV/Aids.

THE founding NUST Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phinias Mogorosi Makhurane has been posthumously awarded the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Silver Medal for his outstanding contribution to the development of the country.

His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, conferred the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Award to Prof Makhurane for his academic excellence and unshakable commitment to promoting the welfare of his fellow human beings, dedication to duty, and a degree of humanity that is both refreshing and inspiring in Zimbabwe’s journey towards Vision 2030.

Prof Makhurane, who was the founding Vice-Chancellor of NUST in 1991 until his retirement in 2004, was a decorated academic, researcher, astute administrator, and a selfless nationalist who was the lead consultant in the education of refugees in the ZAPU camps in Zambia.

He was the first black Zimbabwean to attain a degree in physics and mathematics, the first black Zimbabwean to acquire a PhD in the sciences and the second black PhD graduate in Zimbabwe.

As the representative of the Geneva-based International University Exchange Fund (IUEF) in Zambia and Botswana during the liberation struggle, Prof Makhurane distinguished himself as a selfless nationalist who sourced educational materials and funded the education of political prisoners and refugees from the liberation wars in Southern Africa.

He raised a generation of students and African scholars during his time in various universities in Southern Africa as lecturer, reader, professor and administrator including the University of Zambia, University of Botswana, University of Lesotho and University of Swaziland.

In 1981, Prof Makhurane returned to the newly independent Zimbabwe to serve as the Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Zimbabwe where he tirelessly worked to expand the university’s infrastructure.

The farsighted Prof Makhurane was appointed chairman of the Foundation Committee of NUST after expressing the need for the expansion of Zimbabwe’s university education to cope with the increased output of advanced-level school leavers in post-independence.

The visionary, astute administrator and decorated academic was the founding Vice-Chancellor of NUST, the country’s second university in post-independence.

Under his leadership, NUST evolved from a mere concept into the country’s first science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) oriented centre of academic excellence.

He was the first Vice-Chancellor to introduce industrial attachment to universities in Southern Africa to replace vacation training.

Upon his retirement, he was appointed as Technical Advisor on Higher Education in the President’s Office, tasked with drawing up legislation that supervises quality control of tertiary institutions and led into the formation of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), which he became its first Chief Executive Officer.

He was the inaugural chairman of the African Virtual University, and a member of the Namibian Presidential Commission on Higher Education whose report led to the establishment of the University of Namibia.

The decorated academic and administrator, held several national, regional and international level positions including chairing the Eastern and Southern Africa Universities Research Programme, Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC), Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM), National Council for Higher Education, Scientific and Industrial Research Development Centre (SIRDC), Revival for Hope Foundation, Edward Ndlovu Memorial Library, Wildlife Association of Zimbabwe, Council for Gwanda State University and member of the Executive of Commonwealth Universities, consultant of the European Commission on the Development of the Faculty of Science of the University of Swaziland, Namibian Presidential Commission on Higher Education, University of Zambia council and University of Venda council.

He was awarded honorary doctorates from NUST, University of Zimbabwe and Midlands State University; and Presidential Certificate of Distinction (Zimbabwe) for contribution to Science and Technology Education.

Prof Makhurane, who was declared a national hero, was a rare good model that Zimbabwean society, particularly the youth would be well advised to emulate in achievement of the country’s Vision 2030.

NATIONAL University of Science and Technology (NUST) fifth and final year Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering student, Tafadzwa Banga (23), has lifted the country’s flag high after being selected one of the top 10 young innovators by Space in Africa.

The leading media, analytics, and consulting company, Space in Africa focuses on the African space and satellite industry.

Banga, the only Zimbabwean, is part of the African Space Industry Top 10 under 30 – Class of 2021 together with other researchers and innovators from other African countries namely Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt (two), Mauritius, Ethiopia (two), Angola and Sierra Leone.

“In 2019, we started the Top 10 under 30 series to spotlight the profiles of the top 10 innovators, engineers, researchers, writers, and contributors to the Africa space industry,” reads the African Space Industry Report of 2021.  

“This year, having gone through a thorough selection process, we are once again presenting Africa’s top 10 under 30 in the Africa space industry. These young people continue to display outstanding courage and contributions to the industry, reminding us at all times that Africa is ready to take a place in the global space market.”

Founder of the Young Inventors organisation, Banga in 2018 led the Zimbabwean team represented by students from Young Inventors to win a regional hackathon competition that the University of Oxford and NEPAD SANBIO organised in South Africa.

He has been an active member of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space since 2018, and has served as the national chairperson and the president of the SEDS NUST Chapter.

The youthful innovator is also the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) National Point of Contact (NPoC) for Zimbabwe, having joined SGAC in 2019 with his passion for space having made him lead a group of engineering students to SEDS Zimbabwe on the 10th of October 2020.  

Banga’s team was able to launch a student-designed electronic payload in near space using a high-altitude balloon, the first-ever space-related project for Zimbabwe.

The launch made a significant impact on the awareness of space education and breast cancer.

Moreover, Banga was part of the UN 4th Africa Space Generation Workshop organising team and one of the delegates who attended the workshop in Ghana.

His resilience and dedication earned him a scholarship to participate in the Mmaars in-person analogue astronaut training mission at Maarsbase basecamp in Mojave Desert, California, USA.

As part of the keynote speakers for the Global Space Summit 2021 organised by SDNx Foundation and Helium Learning Labs, Banga joined the global stage.

He is also keen to see the sustainable development of his country and the rest of Africa through the active engagement of youths and young professionals in space exploration and science.

Banga said he was excited about the recognition, which he said he did not expect adding he would continue doing more research in the area of space.

“I am overwhelmed with joy; it is something that I never anticipated, I am really excited. To be part of the top 10 in Africa is huge achievement considering the amount of work being done by other individuals across Africa.

“This should go a long way in motivating other young people in Zimbabwe.

NUST congratulated Banga for the achievement.

“Tafadzwa’s achievement is a strong demonstration that NUST students are trained to make an impact in society with creative and innovative skills imparted during their education experience that is consistently rated among the best locally and beyong,” said NUST Director for Communication and Marketing, Mr Thabani Mpofu.

“As a University, we are excited to see the fruits of Heritage-Based Education 5.0 whose focus is teaching and learning, research, community engagement, innovation and industrialisation. Well done to Tafadzwa and his lecturers.”

Mr Mpofu said NUST was renowned for pioneering industry-based learning in Zimbabwe where students access a range of industry placements and STEM rich work-learning environments that challenge them to live by the University motto of “Think in Other Terms”.

“As leaders of human capital development for industrial and socio-economic transformation, our goal is to produce graduates with a strong combination of theoretical and practical experience, as well as good communication and technological skills,” he explained.

“We are committed to producing innovative and entrepreneurial graduates whose qualifications and skills are locally and internationally recognised. We urge fellow students to take advantage of the good learning opportunities that the university avails through lectures, internship programmes and student clubs and societies.”

He encouraged students to utilise the NUST Innovation Hub to help them turn ideas into innovations and businesses. – Online.

THE National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and its partners will host the blended (physical and virtual) 22^nd WaterNet Summit from 20 – 22 October 2021 in Victoria Falls under the theme Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development in East and Southern Africa.

The annual event is being jointly organised by NUST, the International Association of Hydrological Sciences and Southern African Centres for Water Excellence.

NUST Director of Communication and Marketing, Mr Thabani Mpofu said great emphasis will be placed on integration of knowledge, particularly involving scholars from the natural and social sciences.

“The sub-themes of the symposium have been aligned to the SADC Water Research Agenda under the Regional Strategic Plan on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Phase IV,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said the main objective is to promote evidence-based implementation of SADC water programmes and projects through multi- and inter-disciplinary research, and synthesis of existing and new information, which will lead to a realisation of SADC developmental goals.

Mr Mpofu said stakeholders were encouraged to register for and attend the upcoming symposium, which will be held physically in Victoria Falls as well as virtually.

“Policymakers, academics, practitioners from water and related sectors, and cooperating partners are invited to register for and attend the symposium and make use of this opportunity to listen and debate findings from presentations focused on the different subthemes,” he said.

Authors wishing to present the results of their work, Mr Mpofu said, should submit their abstracts targeting topics such as Innovative approaches, practices and technologies for affordable water supply, and sanitation services; Water governance for sustainable, equitable and affordable water services; Water, Land, Energy and Agriculture; Changing hydro-climatic regimes and planning tools for climate resilient development pathways; Water, Ecosystems and the Environment; and Impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic on the water sector.

Similar symposia have been held annually in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regions for the past 21 years to promote integration among policymakers, academics, practitioners from water and related sectors, and cooperating partners.

“Together, they identify regional issues, gaps and priorities that require further research and support,” Mr Mpofu noted.

He added that limited access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation is a global problem, but one which is particularly huge in Africa in general and Eastern and Southern Africa in particular.

“An estimated 40% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa and approximately the same population in Eastern and Southern Africa have limited access to clean drinking water. Africa lags behind other continents in the area of access to improved sanitation which stands at 31% of the population. In Southern Africa, 62% of the population, that is almost two thirds of the total population, lack access to basic sanitation,” said Mr Mpofu.

As a result of limited access to clean water supply and sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa, 842 000 adults and 120,000 children under the age of five die every year in the region from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Cholera outbreaks have been experienced in the SADC region in recent years.

“The health of members of society is highly dependent on both the quality and the availability of water, and on how well this precious resource is managed.

“With regards to sanitation, wastewater treatment, Africa has not been able to keep pace with rapid population growth and urbanization,” he noted.

“Population growth, urbanisation and relative improvement in lifestyles in Africa have resulted in a rise in water consumption and an increase in discharge of wastewater.”

Untreated wastewater pollutes surface and groundwater and may lead to a myriad of diseases and illnesses resulting in deaths of the young, the elderly and vulnerable people.

Africa treats only 1% of wastewater to secondary level.

“There is an urgent need for appropriate technologies for treating wastewater, including considering wastewater as a useful resource which can be recycled and used for productive purposes,” noted Mr Mpofu.

“In addition, solid waste is not collected systematically or using proper disposal methods and poses a health hazard to residents and the environment.”

He said new and innovative approaches were required in the area of wastewater management to alleviate

these challenges.

“Ensuring access to clean water supply and improved sanitation in Eastern and Southern Africa will go a long way in achieving a number of the sustainable development goals such as poverty eradication and hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, reducing inequality and sustainable cities and communities,” he said.

TWO post-graduate students have been awarded research grants to conduct studies on weather conditions to enable communities in disaster-prone areas in Zimbabwe to avert loss of life and property.

The students got the grants from the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS).

The grants, worth US$2 500, will see the two students, Mr Charles Reza from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Mr Donald Chikoto from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), conduct scientific research towards attainment of their Masters degrees.

ZRCS is implementing the forecast-based action project in identified disaster-prone communities across the country with financial and technical support from the Danish and Finnish Red Cross.

“Two candidates have been awarded research grants to conduct studies on weather conditions to enable communities in disaster-prone areas to prepare in advance to avert loss of life and property.

“The two selected candidates responded to the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society’s Call for Research Proposals that was flighted early this year.

“They were selected based on their proposals’ suitability into the forecast-based action initiative for disaster risk reduction,” said ZRCS secretary-general Mr Elias Hwenga.

He said there have been growing calls for a scientific-based approach to disaster risk reduction hence his organisation through the forecast-based action project was taking steps towards building a strong research base by linking up with academic institutions and supporting research studies being conducted by university students.

“On a global scale, the United Nations’ Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) reiterates the need for science and evidence-based actions to improve lives, livelihoods and health,” said Mr Hwenga.

He said ZRCS has taken an initiative to build a scientific base that will inform its disaster response activities and policies.

Mr Reza is studying towards attainment of a Master of Science degree in Disaster Management.

His research is titled “The cascade effect of Cyclone Idai on malaria transmissions in at-risk communities while exploring disaster risk reduction alternatives.”

Mr Chikoto, who is studying towards attainment of a Master of Science degree in Gender and Policy Studies, is doing a research titled “Cyclone and floods prediction using indigenous knowledge forecasting indicators among vulnerable rural people in Chivi South, Masvingo”. – Online.

Please be advised that all Examinations that were scheduled to start on the 2^nd and the 16^th of August 2021 respectively, have been postponed and new dates will be advised in due course. This has been necessitated by the current lockdown regulations. 

Any inconvenience caused is regretted. 

Please stay safe and remember to always wear your mask correctly, practice social distancing in public places and wash/sanitise your hands regularly. 

Acting Deputy Registrar

L J Hadebe

THE passing on of Dr. Joel Tshuma has deemed NUST poorer of a rare jewel. Having touched and inspired many lives of both staff and students he interacted with, Dr Tshuma has left a gap in the Chemical Engineering fraternity of NUST. 

“No amount of words can express the devastating untimely loss of Dr. Tshuma, our dear brother, colleague, mentor and friend,” said Ms Nonhlanhla Mguni, Chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering.   

Dr Tshuma, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering under the Faculty of Engineering held an MSc in Chemical Engineering specialising in chemical production technologies from the Instuto Superior Politecnico Jose Anatonio Echeverria, Havana, Cuba in 1994. He joined NUST in 1998 as Assistant Technician in the Department of Chemical Engineering and a year later he was promoted to Technician. In 2001 he was promoted to Senior Technician in the same Department.

Dr Tshuma left the country in 2001 to pursue his PhD studies at the Instituto Politecnico Nacional Mexico D.F., Mexico.

He was also a part-time lecturer at Gwanda State University from 2015 to 2019. In 2018, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer, the position that he held until the time of his death.

“It is heart-breaking to lose Dr Tshuma after overcoming so many hurdles to become

one of the leading lights in the Chemical Engineering Department,” said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mqhele Dlodlo.

Dr Tshuma lost his sight from an accident in the laboratory during his PhD studies in Mexico, where he graduated with a PhD in Metallurgy and Material Sciences. He will be remembered for leaving a legacy that disability is not inability.

“He and I got very close together while our Departments were tenants at the ZESA Training Centre. During that time, he created detergents, dustless chalk, handwashing liquid, etc. He helped so many SMEs in collaboration with the City of Bulawayo,” said Prof Dlodlo of Dr Tshuma’s contribution at the early stages of establishment of the University.

“When I returned to NUST as Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Tshuma was one of the first academics to welcome me back in 2018. He was still his spontaneously creative self, full of bright engineering insights into solution possibilities. May His Soul Rest In Peace!” said the Vice-Chancellor.

Despite being visually impaired, Dr. Tshuma rode above the tide to offer his selfless service to those he worked with.

“Dr. Tshuma was a visionary, a passionate mentor, very collaborative, goal-oriented as well as caring, despite the challenges he encountered. He nurtured a lot of people and gave expert and inspirational advice on administration issues, research, projects and student matters,” said Ms Mguni speaking on behalf of members of his Department.

She said the outpouring condolences the Department was receiving from students are a testimony of his dedication to work, his excellency and caring personality.

“He leaves us with a difficult space to fill. We are very honoured and privileged to have interacted with Dr. Tshuma. Isitsha esihle kasidleli,” she said.

A man of the people, who was touched by the plight of those disadvantaged in the communities, Dr. Tshuma was the Project Coordinator for the National Council of the Disabled People of Zimbabwe in 1999; joined the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South in 2016 and became President of the Njube Old Timers Association, Bulawayo, from 2017. His interests in the development and betterment of industries in the country is reflected in his various project engagements with different companies across the country.

In 2012, Dr Tshuma led a team of researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering in launching a safe water management programme in conjunction with the Bulawayo City Council and other stakeholders. The programme sought to raise awareness in industry about safe waste management practices and finding innovative ways of curbing pollution. Under the programme, NUST and BCC held a series of workshops on waste management with industrialists.

In the same year, he became consultant to various Bulawayo industries namely Schweppes Zimbabwe Ltd, Pottery Industries, Macdonald bricks, Ingwebu breweries, and selected funeral parlours.

His employment experience spans more than 20 years as a science teacher, a university technician, a sugar refineries chemist, a chemical engineer and specialist in various industries.

Between 1998-1999, Dr. Tshuma simulated a “Press Filter” for the BHP Selous Plant on behalf of the Larox Filter Company of Southern Africa, yet before he had formulated and designed equipment for manufacturing bar soaps for the Zhombe Soap Factory in 1997, where he also served as Production Manager. His role in the brewery industry was notable owing to the achievements recorded during his tenure at different companies. 

An award winning academic, Dr. Tshuma was a recipient of the Senior Category award at the universities Research and Innovation Expo in 2013. He was also seconded to Trojan Mine and Freda Rebecca Mine as an industrial attaché under the Royal Academy of Engineering UK- funded project.

Known for his committed service to the University, Dr. Tshuma also received the 15-year long service award at NUST, in 2013. He holds to his academic record, 10 published journal articles, and also presented 9 conference papers. Dr. Tshuma also developed a Masters Degree programme, whilst also known to have organised a 100-delegate conference on waste management in 2011.

True to his trait of excellence, students whose research he supervised received notable awards at the national engineering students’ competitions (NESAC) in 2016 and 2017.    

Dr. Tshuma was a respected member of international and local professional bodies. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; the American Chemical Society (ACS); the Network of Users of Scientific Equipment of Southern Africa. (NUSESA), Editor of the Thomson George Publishing House, Malaysia, from 2013 to 2021.

At local level, he was a Committee Member of the Bulawayo Provincial Coordinating Committee on Pollution; Board member of the Bulawayo solid Waste Improvement Platform; Chairperson of the Bulawayo Education and Social Marketing Committee and reviewer of the Zimbabwe Journal of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, from 2013.

Please Be Advised That The Physical Lectures That Were Scheduled To Start On The 12^th Of July 2021 Have Been Postponed To A Date To Be Advised. This Has Been Necessitated By The Current Lockdown Regulations.

 Please Remember To Always Wear Your Masks, Practise Social Distancing In Public Places And Wash/Sanitize Your Hands Regularly.

Thank You.

B Ngwenya

Registrar