Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) has received a certificate of recognition from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) after taking first place in the Best Exhibitor category for its Millet Value Chain display at the organisation’s 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Gaborone, Botswana. The award was conferred following an assessment conducted by independent scientists who evaluated all exhibition stands at the AGM. RUFORUM Executive Secretary, Professor Patrick Okori, said the judges identified several factors that set GZU apart.
According to Prof Okori, the panel noted the university’s ability to generate new ideas and demonstrate how scientific research can be converted into practical development outcomes. He also said the exhibit presented clear business opportunities for African farmers, a group often constrained by limited investment. The university’s approach to showcasing an African-led model of doing things differently and the presentation of the stand itself were also cited among the reasons for its selection. Vice Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo, welcomed the award, saying the award affirms the university’s Vision and Mission and reflects the impact of its work within Africa’s higher education and research landscape. GZU participated in the AGM through the Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering. Its Executive Dean, Dr Xavier Poshiwa, said the university’s products and innovations on display reflected the shift driven by Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 policy.
Dr Poshiwa said the institution has spent the past five years developing innovations aligned with the national mandate for universities to become engines of industrialisation and economic development. He said the recognition at RUFORUM demonstrates that GZU’s work is gaining traction both regionally and continent-wide. This year’s RUFORUM AGM, held from 1 to 5 December 2025, ran under the theme “Positioning Africa’s Universities and the Higher Education Sector to Effectively Impact Development Processes on the Continent.” RUFORUM, established in 2004 by ten vice chancellors, now comprises 175 universities in 40 African countries. The network works to strengthen the capacity of institutions of higher agricultural education and supports efforts in science, technology, innovation, and human capital development. It operates within continental and global frameworks including Agenda 2063, the CAADP framework, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.