11 July 2025 | Gweru Main Campus
In a pioneering step towards academic openness, Midlands State University (MSU) held a public viva voce examination for doctoral candidate Innocent Pahla from the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources. This marks the university’s second such initiative, reinforcing its dedication to scholarly rigour and transparency.
Pahla’s thesis, “Distribution, Abundance, and Host Plant Interaction of Native Parasitoids of the Invasive Liriomyza Species in Zimbabwe,” tackles a critical challenge in agricultural entomology: the threat posed by invasive Liriomyza leafminers to Zimbabwe’s crop production.
His work provides groundbreaking insights into the ecological dynamics between these pests and native parasitoids, offering vital strategies for integrated pest management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable farming across sub-Saharan Africa.
Chaired by Dr. Tirivashe Phillip Masere, Deputy Dean of the Faculty, the examination panel rigorously assessed Pahla’s research.
The session attracted a diverse audience, including academics, researchers, and industry specialists such as Mrs. Norah Mangezi, Industrial Entomology Specialist and Principal Research Officer in Plant Protection.
Dr. U. Saidi, Postgraduate Studies Manager, lauded the study as “a model of problem-driven science,” adding that “the research exemplifies the power of agro-science to solve real-world problems.”
This fusion of academic and industry perspectives underscores MSU’s mission to foster impactful research—bridging theory and practice to drive innovation and national development.