Make positive change in your lives, graduates urged
HIGHER and tertiary education graduates have been urged to use their newly-acquired knowledge to make positive change at their workplaces and environs.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 54 students at the Institute of I Sustainable Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (ISPPME) in Gweru on Saturday, guest of honour and academic Efiritha Chauraya implored the graduates to put into use the knowledge they acquired and avoid being idle.
“Life is full of risks, but there is only one big risk that you should avoid at all costs and that is the risk of doing nothing. Go out there and do something,” she said.
ISPPME principal Lydia Magutsa said their objective is to increase access to professional education in project management, monitoring and evaluation, globally.
She said the knowledge the graduates acquired equipped them with more than just facts as it had instilled in them the ability to critically think and adapt to changing circumstances, and the confidence to navigate uncharted territories.
“… It will be your duty to be the catalysts for positive change, excellence and development. Embrace the values of hard work, integrity, empathy, compassion and inclusivity as you work towards making a difference in project management, monitoring and evaluation,” the principal said.
ISPPME chairperson Mifungo Magutsa said the institution “continued to excel in more ways which is a clear sign of our growth into a premier college”.
Besides excelling in quality education, research and technology, Magutsa said: “We shall also foster partnerships with institutions, schools, society and organisations where we get our learners from and for talent development; as well as partnerships with individuals and organisations in project management, monitoring and evaluation and technopreneurships, while enacting policies that produce graduates fit for the 21st century.”
ISPPME signed a memorandum of understanding with the Midlands State University on July 6, 2022, where the latter provides oversight on ISPPME certificate, diploma and postgraduate programmes’ qualityrelated issues in compliance with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education and other relevant bodies.
Fifty-four students graduated with various certificates and diplomas and to date, 211 students have passed through the doors of the institution.
The graduation ceremony was the institution’s second since it opened its doors in 2019, with the first one held in November 2022 after previous ones failed to take place owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.