Gweru, 29 September 2025 – In a bold step towards fostering bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the Republic of Nicaragua, the Nicaraguan Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Cde Nadeska Cuthbert, paid a courtesy visit to Midlands State University (MSU).

The visit which brought together students and staff members across faculties sought to identify areas of collaboration in key sectors including agriculture, mining and education.

Speaking during a brief meeting on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Professor V. N. Muzvidziwa, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Campus Development, Dr. G. Manyatera, welcomed the Ambassador describing the visit as the genesis of partnerships that would produce mutually beneficial outcomes for both nations.

“I am confident that this is the beginning of exciting collaborations that will yield mutually positive results,” he said.

Ambassador Cuthbert outlined her vision for collaboration between MSU and Nicaragua’s National Agrarian University (UNA) in areas of sustainable agriculture, food security, climate resilience, academic exchange programmes, and joint innovation in technology transfer.

Setting the tone for the public lecture, Acting Executive Dean-Students Affairs, Mr. Mafa highlighted that the public lecture was a profound reminder that, “our students are not only members of this university community but also citizens of a wider world where struggles and victories are shared across borders.”

Midlands State University is renown for producing students who are making a profound global impact through tackling some of the world’s pressing challenges.

Following the Acting Executive Dean’s remarks, the Ambassador delivered a historical public lecture to students and staff members tracing Nicaragua’s precolonial era, resistance to U.S. colonisation, attainment of independence and national development trajectory.

The lecture also spotlighted Nicaragua’s thriving tourism sector and underscored shared historical ties between Zimbabwe and Nicaragua rooted in common struggles for self-determination.

A question-and-answer session created a platform for direct interaction between the Ambassador, students, and staff, allowing participants to exchange ideas on potential collaborative initiatives.

In his closing remarks, Acting Chairperson of the Department of Peace and Security Studies, Mr. A. Zevure, expressed gratitude for the thought-provoking presentation, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to producing global citizens who recognise that their nations’ destinies are intertwined with those of other countries resisting imperialism and striving for justice.

The visit marked a significant milestone in laying the foundation for collaborations that promise to strengthen ties between Zimbabwe and Nicaragua.