Mutare Polytechnic

Mutare Polytecnic participates at the 2026 Zimbabwe Tertiary Sports Games (ZiTS) at Harare Polyechnic

Highlights of track events

Mutare Polytechnic Highlights

Day 3

Mutare Polytechnic Student Lands Prestigious EU Youth Advisory Role

A Quantity Surveying student at Mutare Polytechnic has made history for his institution after being selected as one of Zimbabwe's finest young voices to sit on the European Union's prestigious Youth Sounding Board (YSB), joining an elite third cohort of young leaders drawn from every corner of the country.

Pascall Kaporoma, who is currently pursuing his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Quantity Surveying, was among a handful of exceptional candidates chosen from a highly competitive pool of over 2,000 applicants for the EU-YSB-Zimbabwe initiative, a milestone that has drawn admiration from the polytechnic staff and students.

Kaporoma says he first learnt of the opportunity through his Peer Education group in October 2025, when he submitted his application for the programme. Months later, in early March 2026, he received the call that would change the trajectory of his young career an invitation to sit before a selection panel. He passed.

"I am delighted to have successfully passed the interview and now join an inspiring group of diverse young leaders from across the country from Beitbridge to Binga, Harare to Mutare ready to make a meaningful impact," said Kaporoma.

As a member of the 3rd Cohort of the Youth Sounding Board, Kaporoma and his peers carry a clear mandate: to advise, monitor, and inform, ensuring that EU-funded projects and policies in Zimbabwe are genuinely responsive to the needs and lived realities of young people.

The YSB initiative, which operates under the broader framework, represents a growing commitment by the European Union to place youth voices at the centre of development programming in Zimbabwe rather than on the margins.

For Kaporoma, the journey to this achievement was shaped significantly by his time at Mutare Polytechnic, an institution he credits with giving him far more than technical knowledge.

"My foundation began here at Mutare Polytechnic, where I have been nurtured by dedicated lecturers and staff. The learning environment has given me opportunities to explore beyond the classroom and engage in activities that have shaped my growth. I am forever grateful," he said.

His selection is being celebrated as a source of pride not only for Mutare Polytechnic but for Manicaland Province as a whole a reminder that world-class opportunities are accessible to young people beyond the capital.

Mutare Poly Trains Peer Educators in Health Drive

In a bid to foster healthier campus communities, Mutare Polytechnic has partnered with a consortium of organizations to train a new team of peer educators equipped to tackle pressing issues affecting young people today.

Mutare Polytechnic, in collaboration with UNESCO O3PLUS, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Education Coalition Zimbabwe (ECOZI), Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS), and the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), successfully conducted a three-day intensive training workshop from 11 to 13 March 2026 at Mutare Polytechnic campus.

The workshop, aimed at strengthening health promotion and life skills among tertiary students saw twenty-five passionate students from various academic disciplines equipped with critical knowledge to serve as ambassadors of health and wellbeing on campus.

The training focused on empowering these young leaders to become agents of change, championing accurate information on sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, mental health awareness, and the prevention of drug and substance abuse.

Speaking at the end of the training, the O3 Plus Cluster Coordinator,Ms Atolia Phiri, emphasized the transformative role these peer educators are expected to play within the institution and the wider community.

“These peer educators are now equipped to create safe spaces, lead impactful conversations, challenge harmful norms, and promote positive behavior change on and off campus,” said Phiri.
“Through their leadership, they will play a vital role in fostering informed, resilient, and healthy student populations. The goal is to ensure that no student is left behind when it comes to accessing life-saving information,” she said.

The partnership brings together key players in the education and health sectors. UNESCO O3PLUS provides a framework for comprehensive sexuality education and health services, while ZNFPC brings expertise in family planning and reproductive health. The involvement of MSUAS and FAWEZI ensures a focus on gender equality and academic support, with ECOZI mobilizing civil society efforts to strengthen the education sector.

The initiative comes at a critical time when tertiary institutions are increasingly concerned about the rise in mental health challenges and substance abuse among youths. By utilizing a peer-to-peer model, the program leverages the trust and relatability that students share, making it easier for young people to seek help and accurate information.

Participants expressed gratitude for the training, noting that it had not only expanded their knowledge but also given them the confidence to lead difficult conversations with their peers.

Ms Phiri added that the event underscored a collective commitment to building a generation that is empowered, informed, and ready to lead.

" As the newly trained peer educators, they are expected to spearhead the Safer Campuses Campaign, driving positive behavior change and promoting holistic wellbeing among their peers," she said.

New Mutare Polytechnic SRC Takes the Helm

Mutare Polytechnic newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC) members underwent a four-day leadership induction workshop at Clevers Lakeview Resort, Masvingo, from 5 to 8 March 2026, equipping them with the skills and vision to champion student interests.

The induction workshop, organized by the institution’s administration, was designed to orient the incoming SRC with the policies, procedures, and responsibilities that define effective student representation. Sessions covered student governance structures, conflict resolution, communication strategies, ethical leadership, grooming and etiquette and the critical role the SRC plays in bridging the student body and institutional management.

Officially opening the workshop, the Principal of Mutare Polytechnic, Ms Poniso Watema extended warm congratulations to the newly elected members before delivering a powerful charge that set the tone for the days ahead.

“You are not here to be served; you are here to serve. The ‘power’ you hold is the power to amplify the voices of the quiet, to address the needs of the struggling, and to celebrate the successes of the achievers. Keep your ears to the ground and your ego in check,” said Ms Watema.

The Principal further urged the council to embrace three guiding pillars throughout their tenure: Servant Leadership, Collaboration over Confrontation, and Legacy and Integrity, reminding members that their ultimate legacy would be defined not by the volume of their complaints, but by the depth of their achievements.

Among the themes that resonated most strongly throughout the four days was the importance of inclusive leadership. Facilitators urged the incoming SRC to be mindful of the diverse student population they represent including students with disabilities currently enrolled at the institution and to ensure that no student’s voice goes unheard. Gender equity was equally emphasised, with the council encouraged to champion programmes that support female students, who currently make up a third of the total student body.

In his closing remarks, SRC President, Brian Zindi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the institution's leadership and facilitators and promised to develop concrete action plans that address student wellbeing during their tenure.

"Four days ago, we arrived here as individuals, today, we leave as an empowered council, united in purpose and resolute in commitment and focus on student wellbeing," he said.