Renowned researcher and lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Professor George Chava, has passed away.
He was 59 years old.
Professor Shava died of heart disease on Saturday at his home in Bulawayo.
He was one of the few professors at Nust who was instrumental in formulating policies on secondary school teacher training and implementation of Education 5.0.
In an interview yesterday at their family home in Block 1, his widow, Mrs Nocezo Chava, Buena Vista, described her late husband as a lovable person who was passionate about academic issues. “We are saddened by the loss of our father, friend and grandfather who was full of life. He was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2016 and has been on medication ever since,” she said.
“On Saturday after dinner, he collapsed and when we arrived at the hospital we received the bad news. His family, friends and the church will miss him terribly.”
Mrs Shava said a mass would be held today at their home at 12 noon before the family departs for Mberengwa where Professor Shava will be buried tomorrow.
Professor Shava joined Nust in 2011 as a lecturer and was promoted to senior lecturer, then associate professor and eventually full professor.
Knost Communications and Marketing Director, Mr Thabani Mpofu, said Professor Shava was an academic and teacher par excellence.
“He has supervised many doctoral students locally and regionally, including students from Zimbabwe Open University, North-West University in South Africa, the University of Namibia and NOST,” he said.
“He was currently supervising three students at NU and externally supervised 17 PhD students from local and regional universities including the University of Tshwane and the University of Limpopo North-West in South Africa, some of whom were from the University of Namibia.”
Mr Mpofu said Professor Shava was a well published researcher with nearly 60 publications.
“We have lost a researcher and an academic, and we are poorer like Nost because he was an expert in technical engineering training and education which is essential to implementing Education 5.0,” he said.
He said Professor Shava was an expert in training secondary school teachers. Participated in training academics for the teacher program.
“Professor Shava has mentored many academics and was always willing to work with anyone. On behalf of the Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor and the Knost family, we would like to send our condolences to Ms Shava, her family and friends,” Mr Mpofu said.
“We are at a loss for words and will cherish the hard work that Professor Shava has done for our academic institution.”
Dean of Science and Technology Education Professor Lwazi Sibanda said the college had lost one of its famous and decorated researchers.
“He was a kind and dedicated colleague, mentoring many students and even colleagues without complaint. He had an unquenchable passion for research and encouraged all his students to publish their articles,” she said.
“He also contributed greatly to research and was also involved in running our annual conference as a member of the faculty, which will be missed now that he is gone.” Chronicle