| Solusi University | |
|---|---|
| Motto | We serve |
| Established | 1894 |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| President | Norman Maphosa |
| Admin. staff | 221 |
| Undergraduates | 14,000+ |
| Postgraduates | 518+ |
| Location | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe |
| Campus | Rural, 12,000 acres (49 km2) acres (49 km²) |
| Former names | Solusi Collage (1894-1990) |
| Colors | Burnt orange and white |
| Website | www.solusi.ac.zw |
Solusi University is a coeducational private university in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Initially established in 1894, one hundred years later, the institution received the authorization of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe through an act of Parliament to operate as a university[1].As a university it first opened on October 4, 1994, the first private institution of higher education in the country. Following the granting of the charter by the Government it was renamed to Solusi University to reflect the institution's expanded roles and academic offerings. The university follows American grading and business, research and liberal arts curricular patterns[2]. It is owned and run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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Solusi University was founded as one of the first of what grew to be hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist mission stations by a dedicated team of Christians in 1894. It was named after Chief Soluswe, the leader whose lands were violently taken by the colonial settlers led by Cecil John Rhodes.
Solusi University is located approximately 30 miles (50 km) southwest of the city of Bulawayo on approximately 12,000 acres (49 km²) of land adjacent to the Shelmar Dairy farm and 60 miles away from the town of Plumtree. Figtree is 35 miles away; because of the rural nature of the campus, almost the entire Solusi faculty members and student body reside on campus.
The 12,000-acre (49 km2) campus was originally designated as a farm which was later granted to the Adventist missionaries in the late 1890s by Cecil John Rhodes The campus maintains a variety of indigenous trees, especially around the quad in the center of the campus. The campus is composed of 8 instructional buildings, the Student Center, two single-sex residence halls and 10 complexes.
The two dormitories on campus are Sweden Hall, the women's hall, Ralley Hall, the undergraduate men's hall, and the Married Students qutaers, primarily for men who are either married,graduate or seminary students. The residence halls strictly enforce a curfew depending on a student's age, as well as a visitation policy which does not allow students of the opposite sex in dorm rooms at any time. Students living on-campus are also required to attend a number of worship services.
As of 2006, the University has an enrolment of over 4000 students from over 16 different countries in and out of Africa. It was named after Chief Soluswe, near whose home the Mission was founded.
The university is made up of five schools/colleges, offering 60 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate majors.[3], the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Science & Technology, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education
The Faculty of Business first began to offer graduate education in business in 1994. It offers Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Science in Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees. The school is a member of the Zimbabwe Association of Accounting Technicians. It includes the following departments: Department of Management & Marketing Department of Finance Department of Accounting Department of Computer & Management Information Systems
The Faculty of Science and Technology offers 16 undergraduate degrees and one graduate program to more than 2,500 students, employing over 230 faculty. It includes the following departments:
The university has a total of 178 faculty members and a student-faculty ratio of 7:1.
The educational philosophy of Solusi University recognizes that true education has to do with the harmonious development of the whole person. To achieve this broad aim, the University provides an environment in which students are encouraged to develop and strengthen their commitment to Jesus Christ, experience personal and social growth, develop their appreciation for beauty, and develop a pattern of healthful living, as well as achieve academic excellence.
The international population includes 885 students representing 7 countries. First in the nation for largest proportion of international students, and 1st in the nation for campus diversity.
Panganai H Mudoti: Former Financial Director for Genuine Securities. ARO Metropolitan Bank of Zimbabwe Limited.
Notable Alumni also include the following: Professor Levi Nyagura - Vice Chancellor of University of Zimbabwe, Mr. Justice M. Dube - Prominent Banker in South Africa, Mr. Simba Mudzengi - Chartered Accountant in South Africa, Mr. Abel Basutu - Finance Officer, Africa Union Commission (Former ZIANA Senior Business Correspondent) Mr. S. Nyika - HOD Computer Science Department, Walter Sisulu University (South Africa)