Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Masvingo
10 July 2007
Harare — Masvingo State University has been renamed Great Zimbabwe University following approval by Cabinet, setting the stage for the institution's inaugural graduation ceremony.
The official graduation of the university's first batch of students had been stalled as the institution had to effect the name change from Masu to GZU in line with recommendations that there be an institution of higher learning in Masvingo with a bias towards cultural studies.
The university would be named after the imposing Great Zimbabwe Monuments.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education successfully negotiated with the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe for Masu to take over the name Great Zimbabwe.
Parliament debated the Masu Act to reflect the new name GZU.
GZU director of information and public relations, Mr Tichaona Zinhumwe, yesterday said in a statement that Masu had with immediate effect been renamed GZU.
"As a result of an amendment of the Masu Act by both houses of Parliament to effect a name change, Masu has, with immediate effect, been renamed Great Zimbabwe University.
"The name is in line with President Mugabe's expressed desire to have a State-funded institution of higher learning built near the national shrine as a symbol of continuity of our national and cultural heritage," said Mr Zinhumwe.
He further pointed out that the institution was going to relocate from its present campus on the outskirts of Masvingo to the proximity of the Great Zimbabwe Monuments where land for the institution had already been identified and made available.
Mr Zinhumwe also revealed that the renaming of Masu to GZU was a prelude to the official installation of President Mugabe as Chancellor of the university while Professor Obert Maravanyika would be the Vice Chancellor.
Government took over the name GZU from the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe-run GZU, which collapsed about two years ago under a wave of problems that were precipitated by the condemnation of the university's law degree.
The church is already in the process of seeking a new charter to set up another university to be known as the Reformed Church University.
Officially opening the annual chiefs assembly in Masvingo in 2004, President Mugabe said he wanted a new State-owned university to be built in Masvingo and named after the Great Zimbabwe Monuments that was going to have a bias towards cultural studies, archaeology and arts among other related courses.
It was envisaged that the construction of the university's campus near the monument would give the students inspiration by seeing the structures on a daily basis.
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