58 graduate at Manyame Air Base technical school
FIFTY eight military students graduated with diplomas in six disciplines at Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Manyame Air Base School of Technical Training last Friday.
The diplomas were in air frames; engines and power plant; aircraft armaments; aircraft electrics; aircraft instruments; and radio and communication.
AFZ director-general (administration) Air Commodore Peter Zimondi, who presided over the graduation ceremony, said the institution’s quality standards have attracted foreign students from countries such as Malawi and Tanzania.
He said 105 students first enrolled for Number 13 Diploma Course in January 2014.
“The course was divided into three phases, which covered the academic, certificate and diploma phases.
“The phases were very demanding, resulting in 11 students dropping out during the academic phase, 13 in the certificate phase and six during the diploma phase,” said Air Commodore Zimondi.
“The thrust to maintain the highest standards possible has positioned the school among the best technical training schools in the region.
“In that respect, the school continues to have a regional outlook as evidenced by the secondment of four students from Malawi and four students from Tanzania Defence Forces.
“This joint training aims to enhance interoperability within SADC. I am delighted to note that the training improved the sharing of ideas between Zimbabweans and our allied friends. Such joint training also has capacity to deepen our cooperation and thrust in other areas such as the socio-economic spheres.”
He said the dynamism in the global aviation sector demands quality training, which has been the cornerstone of AFZ’s ability to produce competent and professional personnel .
“The aviation industry the world over, continues to experience technological changes; thus, quality training remains the cornerstone of the AFZ’s ability to produce competent and professional personnel, who are able to adapt to new technological demands.
“It therefore stands to reason that our technicians should possess the necessary theoretical practical knowledge and skills in order for them to be relevant in today’s aviation industry,” he said.
AFZ has since partnered the University of Zimbabwe and introduced an aviation maintenance degree programme.
Among the students who graduated last Friday, Corporal Theodoller Mashizha was the best student in Electrics, while Corporal Fortune Mutumbami came up tops in Radios and Avionics; Corporal Ephraim Tambire (Engines and Mechanical); Corporal Tinotenda Zhakata (Armaments); Junior Mazhomba (Airframes); Mpatso Abdul (Best Allied), and Corporal Praise Mundieta (Instruments).