The Great Zimbabwe University, then known as Masvingo State University, was established through the recommendations of the Chetsanga Report of August 1995 which proposed the devolution of Teachers’ and Technical Colleges into degree awarding institutions that would eventually become universities in their own right.

The University was launched in June 1999 as the Masvingo Degree Programme of the University of Zimbabwe with 120 students enrolled for a two-year In-Service Bachelor of Education Primary School. Professor Obert Edward Maravanyika was appointed as the first acting Pro Vice Chancellor. He was asked to produce a concept paper on the future of a university in Masvingo. Prof Maravanyika identified as its distinct niche the reading of arts and culture related studies in performing, visual, literary and digi/electronic arts.

In 2000, the Masvingo Degree Programme saw its first output of 118 students who had completed the two year programme Bachelor of Education (In-Service) degree. The Masvingo Degree Programme was upgraded to a University College of the University of Zimbabwe in the same year.

In 2002, Masvingo University College enrolled its first group of one hundred (100) ‘A’ level certificate holders on the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programme.

On December 22 2002, Masvingo University College became Masvingo State University established by Act of Parliament Chapter 22.24 No.11/2002.

On 5 March 2003, 100 first year Bachelor of Arts students and 120 first year Bachelor of Education (Primary) students were the first to register under the new Masvingo State University.

On December 17 2003, the Council for Masvingo State University was inaugurated and Prof Maravanyika was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor.

In March 2004 Masvingo State University enrolled its first group of Bachelor of Education Early Childhood Education and the Bachelor of Education Primary Pre-Service degree programmes.

In March 2004 Masvingo State University absorbed over eight hundred (800) students, sixteen (16) academic staff and seventeen (17) non-academic staff from Great Zimbabwe University, a privately run Church university which had collapsed.

In September 2005, Professor Obert Maravanyika was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of Masvingo State University.

In July 2007, the Masvingo State University Amendment Act (2007) was passed in Parliament paving the way for Masvingo State University to be renamed Great Zimbabwe University adopting the name of the defunct Church university.

On August 2 2007, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde R. G. Mugabe was installed as the founding Chancellor of the Great Zimbabwe University while Professor O. E. Maravanyika was installed its first Vice Chancellor. More than one thousand students from across the University’ four Faculties became the first group of graduates to be capped at the University.