Neoliberalism and theatre training in Zimbabwean higher education : the case of Midlands State University

Abstract

In this account, I engage how Midlands State University through its Film and Theatre Arts Studies programme responded and continues to respond to the neoliberalisation of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. I argue that while the splicing of Film and Theatre Arts into a single programme was beneficial to the institution, the packaging of the actual programme created challenges for the industry and negatively affected the exit profile and ‘expected’ skill set of the graduates. I submit that within the Zimbabwean context, specifically at MSU, the neoliberalisation of higher and tertiary education affects teaching and learning thereby complicating the integration of graduates into the industry. I conclude and argue that while MSU’s Film and Theatre Arts Studies programme is marketable and appealing, it does not serve the interests of the student in as far as their training, learning, and development is concerned, but fulfils the neoliberal university mandate: revenue generation, efficiency and competition.