Midlands State University (MSU) has expanded its food and beverages unit, strengthened by the acquisition of new automated production equipment.
The MSU Food and Processing Plant, established in 2021, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, was initially designed to meet the university’s internal supply needs.
Over the past three years, however, the facility has transformed into a revenue-generating enterprise aimed at supporting institutional sustainability and building industrial capacity within the education sector.
The plant’s evolution from manual operations to a fully automated production line reflects the university’s commitment to innovation and value addition.
MSU vice chancellor, r Victor Muzvidziwa, said the institution’s industrial efforts demonstrate the transformative power of Education 5.0 in driving national development.
“Education 5.0 is now making a tangible impact beyond our borders,” Muzvidziwa said.
“This is a system anchored on innovation, driving industrialisation.
“We are commercialising innovations, protecting them through patents, and establishing production units, factories and workshops.”
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MSU Enterprises director, Patience Mangwiro, said the upgrades have significantly boosted production capacity and opened new market opportunities.
“Initially, we used manual processes, but now we have an automated line that produces about 3 000 bottles of juice per hour,” she said.
“We have also acquired pasteurisers to extend product shelf life. We began by servicing the MSU internal market, but demand quickly outstripped supply.”
As one of four key MSU business units created to enhance productivity, the facility now stands as a model of Education 5.0-led industrialisation.
MSU Enterprises operates four primary strategic business units focused on commercialising research for economic development.
The business units are focused on chemical manufacturing, clothing and textile as well as press and publications. All the units are based at the industrial park in Gweru and are meant to support industrial growth and innovation.
