Bulawayo Polytechnic Caps 3,690 at 96th Graduation

By Khulisani Siziba

20 August 2025

Bulawayo Polytechnic today capped 3,690 graduates at its 96th graduation ceremony, with 2,049 females and 1,641 males completing studies in various technical and vocational fields. The institution recorded an overall pass rate of 76 percent.

The event was graced by Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Minister said the theme “Human Capital Development for Heritage-Based Innovation and Industrialisation” reflects Zimbabwe’s transformative journey under the Second Republic.

He emphasized that 2025, declared by President Mnangagwa as the year of commercialization, demands graduates to be job creators, not job seekers, with education now shifting from theory to production.

” The Ministry prioritized the reconfiguration of our education system from being overly theoretical in orientation to being practically relevant, innovation-driven, and economically empowering through Heritage Based Education 5.0.

We have moved beyond education for certification to education for production as we move towards an upper middle income economy by 2030,” said Sibanda

The Deputy Minister also noted that programmes like the Integrated Skills Outreach and Entrepreneurship Programme are taking technical training into rural areas, supporting Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive and Vision 2030 goals.

“My ministry has made it clear that education must lead to production of goods and services. Programs such as ISOEP (Intergrated, Skills, Outreach and Entrepreneurship Programs) ensure that graduates apply their skills to solve community challenges through carrying out projects,” highlighted the minister.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Polytechnic has expanded its footprint, establishing new satellite campuses in Plumtree and Binga, widening access to technical and vocational education.