REMARKS BY THE ACTING VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE, PROFESSOR PAUL MAPFUMO AT THE 2^ND CEREMONY OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL POLICE CHIEFS COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (SARPCCO) CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

On behalf of the University of Zimbabwe and on my own behalf, I wish to express our pleasure and appreciation as we join the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) in witnessing this grandiose occasion, the 2^nd graduation ceremony of this regional police bloc’s tertiary institution.  Indeed, the University of Zimbabwe, as an institution of higher learning is pleased to note that over the years more and more police officers have continued to sharpen their knowledge and skills especially at tertiary level.

Over the years, the University of Zimbabwe has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.  This has culminated in the recent five-year extension of the Associateship status to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Staff College with a view to see it advance its educational vision.  In the same vein, I am pleased to also mention that the University of Zimbabwe recently concluded collaborative efforts with the SARPCCO Centre of Excellence that have seen the granting of Associateship status to the Centre.

The University of Zimbabwe continues to put emphasis on its core mandate of offering quality University education to the institution’s clients and partners.   To that end, it is our profound desire that the SARPCCO Centre of Excellence remains an institution of choice for human capital development, and in particular, in extending the frontiers of contemporary policing in the region and beyond. We pledge our support to the institution. It is our hope that the future remains brighter for SARPCCO as better days lie ahead.

As we travel together with you on this journey, the University of Zimbabwe shall continue to place emphasis on academic excellence and the nurturing of personal values and ethics which in fact is the hallmark of academic business. Such noble attributes will also go a long way in assisting graduands to realize tangible lifetime goals and also make huge contributions to society.

At this juncture, may I heartily congratulate the graduands for their academic accomplishment.  I earnestly hope that this feat does not spell the end of your academic pursuit, but the beginning of further and greater academic exploits.

Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlope.

I Thank You.