Banking giant Barclays Bank Zimbabwe has partnered with the National University of Science and Technology Graduate School of Business to sponsor a Masters of Business Administration degree programme in Banking and Finance.

The MBA will be an 18-month block release programme and nine graduate trainees have been enrolled so far.

Speaking at the launch, Barclays Zimbabwe Managing Director, George Guvamatanga, said Barclays’ collaboration with NUST heralded a new era of banking innovation cemented in the bank’s investment in human resources.

He said the programme would give participants a bird’s eye view of banking operations while giving them hands-on experience within key banking sectors.

A statement from the bank said courses were customised and raised issues of governance and ethics through carefully structured modules created in partnership with Barclays representatives.

It said participants would be given assignments and projects that revolve around the current banking industry with specific reference to Barclays Bank.
The NUST MBA in Banking and Finance emphasized the knowledge and skills needed for financial management and related services in private and public financial services organisations.

It is intended to produce graduates who possess a broad- based Masters education equipped with requisite managerial knowledge and skills which are not imparted by specialist Master of Science programmes.
“Barclays Bank believes in investing in the future through not only growing the business but growing and nurturing its people. I believe that, as organisations like ourselves continue to partner with institutions like NUST, we will build symbiotic relationships that will herald a new era for human resources in Zimbabwe,” said the statement.

NUST Vice Chancellor Professor Lindela Ndlovu said the university-private sector co-operation would help the institution achieve its goal “to be a world-class centre of excellence in teaching, research, innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainable development”.

He said the university was given a brief to work closely with industry, to embrace industry as an indispensable partner in the education and training of the nation’s manpower.