By Brendah Muchato

His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe and ZANU PF First Secretary Cde Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa urged Zimbabwean youths to dream big.

"Under the Second Republic, those with talent are being rewarded and supported. I, therefore challenge young people in Matabeleland South Province and the nation as a whole to dream big and realise their full potential.

He made these remarks yesterday at the installation ceremony as Chancellor of Gwanda State University.

President Mnangagwa also challenged the Gwanda State University leadership to make strategies that will help the institution.

"I challenge the Gwanda State University leadership and University stakeholders to deploy strategies that help the institution to become one of the specialist centres in agriculture management and natural environment management in this part of the country", he said.

He further called for greater coordination to partnerships with agriculture and mining stakeholders.

"I further call for greater coordination to partnerships with agriculture and mining stakeholders towards growing the University and stimulating modern, innovative and cutting edge breakthroughs in these spheres.

His Excellency President Mnangagwa also called upon various stakeholders and Zimbabweans in the diaspora to come and partner with the government.

"Meanwhile, I call upon various stakeholders and Zimbabweans in the diaspora, to come on board and partner Government for the sustainable development of our country", said President Mnangagwa.

He went on to say that "The domestication of mining sector value chains through value addition and beneficiation must see the University registering its footprint in this respect. Focus must also be on providing graduates and academics with the appropriate ecosystem to develop relevant technologies that meet the unique realities of the institution's mandate areas. The collaboration between Gwanda State University and the Russian State Geological and Mining University is a commendable initiative".

"Meanwhile, I challenge the community in Matabeleland South Province to enrol their children at this University.. Yekelani abantwana bezofunda lapha. Equally, schools within the Province must strengthen the teaching of subjects, construct laboratories and other facilities that will enable students to advance into the fields of science, technology and innovation", he said.