Philanthropic work earns First Lady honorary doctorate
FIRST LADY Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday received another feather in her cap with the conferment of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Honoris Causa) degree by GD Goenka University of India in recognition of her accomplishments in raising the standards of marginalised communities, saving women from cervical cancer, protection of children, human rights and great philanthropic works.
GD Goenka, a group of institutions, was founded in 1994 offering high quality professional and educational programmes of international standards.
The internationally-recognised university has partnerships with a lot of varsities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan, Turkey, France, Canada, Uzbekistan, Chile, Malaysia, Denmark, China and Italy.
It was a marvel to watch Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa walking gracefully with other doctors in the procession while resplendent in her colourful academic regalia.
She was played the song “Makorokoto” by Mechanic Manyeruke which lit the auditorium as people danced, ululated and whistled.
She also had the opportunity to interact with Zimbabwean students studying at the institution of higher learning.
According to the citation by the university, the First Lady, Dr Mnangagwa was honoured as founder and patron of Angel of Hope Foundation for vigorously spearheading philanthropic work, spreading its outreach to the most marginalised communities and advocating for their inclusion and integration into the mainstream of society.
“During the Ordinary session of the 23rd General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) held in Niger, July 2019 she was elected Vice President of OAFLAD to crown her for her outstanding work which has been recognised and acknowledged beyond the national borders of Zimbabwe,” read the citation.
“The First Lady launched the National Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination, an anti- cancer programme expected to benefit over 800 000 girls aged between 10 and 14. She has also been providing accessible and free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening through her mobile clinic screening programme.
“She has received accolades from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe and other stakeholders for her keen interest in embracing issues bedevilling adolescents by way of interactive sessions on a countrywide schools programme discussing issues around child abuse, early marriages, teen pregnancies, drug abuse and school dropouts.”
In recognition of her sterling and exemplary contribution to the field of women and girl child upliftment, the university saw it fit to award her with the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Honoris Causa).
Speaking at the colourful convocation ceremony at the university yesterday, Vice Chancellor of GD Goenka University Dr Tabrez Ahmad said the university would go a long way in helping students from Zimbabwe to get quality global education at the institution.
“Our focus has been to put a major thrust to foster the holistic growth and development of students by creating opportunities to pursue comprehensive and rounded education which include possibilities to pursue a range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities that complement classroom-based learning. We also focus on having a solidified culturally and experientially diverse cohort of students and staff,” he said.
Furthermore, Dr Ahmad said: “By virtue of the authority vested in me as the vice chancellor of GD Goenka University, I hereby confer upon you the Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) degree for which you have individually qualified and charge you that in your life, by word and deed, you prove yourself worthy of it.”
In her acceptance speech, Amai Mnangagwa thanked the Government of India for being an all weather friend to Zimbabwe through mutually beneficial partnerships for the good of the people.
She expressed gratitude for the honour and invitation extended to her by the institution and also thanked Ambassador Khundija for his sterling work and cooperation with the Government of Zimbabwe.
The First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, also thanked her husband, the President, for his tremendous support and encouragement.
“Today is a very special day for me as I am receiving the highest academic honour bestowed unto me, that of an honorary doctorate in Philosophy by the esteemed GD Goenka University,” she said.
“This accolade is special to me because it has been conferred unto me in light of the work I passionately carry out in my home country, Zimbabwe. To be awarded such a prestigious endorsement from a world class institution such as GD Goenka is something that I do not take lightly but rather hold it close to my heart endearingly. The doctorate awarded to me is a recognition, a realisation and indeed a fulfilment of what I had always dreamt of.”
Humanitarian work, Dr Mnangagwa said, had always been innate when it comes to her.
“It did not begin with my tenure as First Lady,” she said.
“As a former member of Parliament in Zimbabwe, I assisted many women in my constituency and other rural constituencies through life-changing initiatives for their benefit.”
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