Wadyajena unveils student innovation contest and scholarships at CUT

The ruling ZANU PF party has unveiled a student innovation competition and scholarship programme at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) ahead of its 23rd National People’s Conference at the institution.

The competition, the Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa Campus Renewal, Enhancement, Signage and Technology (CREST) Challenge, is being implemented by Gokwe North District Coordinating Committee chairperson Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to commission the initiative during the conference, which runs from 12 to 17 October.

The challenge will invite students from different faculties to come up with practical ideas to improve the university environment, including designs for façade enhancement and permanent signage at three facilities.

Presidential Campus Renewal Project strategy and communications director Chiedza Danha said the aim was to turn students from passive beneficiaries into contributors to their institution’s development.

“The CREST Competition is essentially a campus beautification and enhancement initiative that brings together students from different faculties and disciplines to develop innovative ideas for improving their campus environment,” she said.

Running alongside it are the Presidential Reward for Innovation, Merit and Excellence (PRIME) Scholarships.

Under the current structure, 15 students will receive prizes. The top three winners will each get a scholarship covering the remainder of their studies, plus US$1,000, a laptop and an iPhone 18.

Three first runners-up will receive full tuition for the remainder of their studies, US$750 and a laptop.

Three second runners-up will get tuition for one academic year, US$500 and a laptop, while three third runners-up will get tuition for one semester, US$200 and a laptop.

Three fourth runners-up will each receive US$100 and a laptop.

CUT Vice Chancellor Professor Irvine Mpofu welcomed the initiative, saying it will give students an extra incentive to develop ideas and take part in university projects.

“The scholarships that have been launched are an inspiration to our students; the involvement of students in a competition is inspiring, and our students are going to benefit a lot,” he said.

“We thank Honourable Wadyajena, and obviously the Chancellor (Mnangagwa) who assigned him to this noble project.”

The CREST and PRIME programmes form part of a broader package of projects being carried out at CUT ahead of the conference.

ZANU PF is also delivering a campus safety and security headquarters, a three-bedroom caretaker’s residence and a modern ablution block with showers and facilities for students living with disabilities.

More: ZiGoats

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