1 518 to graduate at UNESWA’s 44th graduation

A total of 1 518 students will graduate during the University of Eswatini’s (UNESWA) 44th graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

UNESWA Registrar Max Mkhonza confirmed the number of graduates, saying preparations for the ceremony were at an advanced stage.

Mkhonza said everything was going according to plan as the university was preparing to celebrate the academic achievements of the students.

He said the university was looking forward to a successful graduation ceremony, although the expected hot weather could present a challenge to those attending the event.

“We are looking forward to a beautiful day, and one bad thing is that the weather forecast says it is going to be hot. That is the only challenge,” he said.

The 1 518 students will graduate from eight faculties, marking another important moment for the country’s higher education sector.

The faculties are Agriculture, Commerce, Consumer Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences.

He said the graduation ceremony would bring together students, their families, university staff and other guests to celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who have completed their studies.

“For many graduates, the ceremony will mark the end of years of studying, examinations and personal sacrifices. It will also be the beginning of a new journey as they prepare to enter the job market, start businesses or continue with further studies. The graduates are expected to contribute their knowledge and skills to different sectors of the country, including agriculture, education, healthcare, business, science and public administration,” he said.

One of the students who will be graduating in Bachelor of Social Science, Muzi Dlamini, said their qualifications were important at a, time when the country needed skilled people to support economic growth and improve service delivery.

“Graduates from the Faculty of Health Sciences, for example, can contribute to the country’s healthcare system, while those from Education can help strengthen teaching and learning in schools.

“Those graduating in Agriculture and Science can also use their knowledge to support food production, research and innovation. Meanwhile, graduates from Commerce and Social Sciences can contribute to business development, public services and other areas of the economy,” he said.

He added that the ceremony would, therefore, not only celebrate their individual achievements as students but also recognise the role of higher education in developing the country’s workforce.

“We will have an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that await us beyond university,” he added.