Mutambara launches programme to raise part of US$70m required by UZ

by Staff reporter

2012 April 06 09:27:05 | 1795 Views

A programme to raise US$20 million for the University of Zimbabwe has been launched in Harare.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara announced yesterday the beginning of various activities to raise part of the US$70m required by UZ.

A dinner on April 28 to be attended by former South African President Thabo Mbeki will headline the initiative as it seeks to raise US$10m.

The price for attending the dinner will be US$200 for individuals and US$2 000 for corporate tables and former UZ graduates are being recommended to donate at least US$100.

Prof Mutambara explained: "These funds will go towards meeting part of the UZ's US$70m requirement for capital projects, which are outlined in the UZ's fundraising handbook.

"They comprise 20 specific initiatives including the development of the state-of-the-art geo-technology laboratories that process large volumes of earth observation data; establishment of a technology resource centre and business advisory services, refurbishment of medical and other laboratories; construction of a female students hostel; construction of a world-class Graduate School of Management; replacement of old furniture in the university library; providing support (scholarships and other forms of assistance) to disadvantaged and special needs students and the capitalisation of an endowment fund."

A fundraising committee comprising former students and key university people has been set up to manage the fundraising while some ex-students in the Diaspora have been chosen to be ambassadors of the university.

UZ Vice-Chancellor Levi Nyagura welcomed the move saying the "mother of all universities" had fallen on hard times and needed to be helped to fulfil its mandate to churn out human capital.

"We have suspended geology, metallurgy departments due to the unavailability of lecturers and the mining engineering department is limping with no more than three lecturers," he lamented.

He said he expected to forge relations with major stakeholders to work towards improving the university.

"We need to pay more attention to the academic business at the UZ. We are committed to making cadres that would make future leaders," he said.

A student leader said the present generation, who have had to endure hardship, felt betrayed because former students had not done enough to uphold the standards at the university.

Several UZ alumni attended the launch and pledged to help their former school.

They included captains of industry, Government officials, academics resident here and abroad, the private sector, RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono, as well as UZ students.

Prof Mutambara said the UZ fundraising programme was a microcosm of what could be done to other institutions like schools and hospitals.

He also said the initiative was meant to promote "African philanthropy" whereby Africans give back to their own societies rather than be the receiver of aid all the time.

Mutambara UZ

Source: TH