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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau

THE Midlands State University (MSU) in Zimbabwe has been ranked number 18 out of 129 universities in Sub Saharan Africa in the recently released African Universities rankings 2024 by Times Higher Education Index.
This is a huge milestone for the transformative Education 5.0 model – introduced by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa in all institutions of higher learning, which now contribute immensely to socio-economic development of the country and beyond.
The University of Zimbabwe is also among the top 20 at number 13.
Through Education 5.0, local universities have become business incubation and innovation hubs with higher impact on the productive sector.
MSU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Muzvidziwa said the university’s high ranking in its first ever appearance was a remarkable achievement in the institution’s innovation and research journey. He said MSU will continue to strive to be one of the best in Africa.
“This remarkable achievement isn’t just a number – it’s a testament to our faculty’s extraordinary commitment, our students’ brilliance, and our relentless pursuit of academic excellence,” he said.
Prof Muzvidziwa said the achievement was as a result of the collective work by all stakeholders.
“To our students, alumni, and staff, this achievement is your achievement. We aren’t just producing graduates, we’re crafting future change-makers who will drive Zimbabwe and Africa’s progress,” he said.
“Every lecture, every research project, and every community initiative has contributed to this momentous recognition.
“As one of only two Zimbabwean universities in the top 20 Sub-Saharan African institutions, MSU has proven that we’re not just a university but a world-class centre of learning and innovation.”
The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa Index is no ordinary ranking. It’s the global benchmark that meticulously evaluates universities across critical domains – teaching quality, research impact, international outlook, industry connections, and community engagement.