“Growth doesn’t happen only in the classroom,” says Tadiwanashe Mkonto from Zimbabwe, a fresh-out-of-university bachelor’s degree holder in Mechatronics, reflecting on his time at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).
Although his student years earned him top recognition at the Technorama technology and innovation fair, the presidency of AIESEC, and the opportunity to present his work at the Lithuanian Seimas (Parliament), Tadiwanashe believes his greatest achievements are still ahead.
“Each day brings new skills and opportunities to apply them in future projects. Even if they do not receive the same recognition as the buoy drone, we introduced in Technorama, it is ultimately about the journey and the impact made, rather than the destination,” says the KTU graduate.
He plans to continue his journey with KTU, studying a master’s in Mechatronics, and with that – to continue to delve deeper into drone technology and pursue projects outside his academic life.
Raised between Zimbabwe and Botswana, Tadiwanashe speaks fondly about the nature of his homeplace: “Zimbabwe, home to Victoria Falls, where the waters thunder at our borders, stretches into endless savannahs and quiet, green highlands. Nearby, Botswana’s Okavango Delta brings life to the heart of the Kalahari, one of nature’s most beautiful contradictions.”
Although Southern Africa’s savannahs are famed for iconic wildlife encounters with the “Big Five” – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – he believes the region’s greatest wonder is its people.
“People here speak a dozen languages, create music that moves the world, build growing industries and carry enormous dreams in their hearts. They have shaped how I see the world not as something fixed but as something vast worth exploring, and worth striving for,” says Tadiwanashe, extending his gratitude to his family and friends back home, and professors at KTU, who supported him all the way through his study journey.
A recent KTU graduate says he knew early on that mechatronics was the right path. Combining mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineering, he sees it as perfectly suited to today’s demands. Besides, he adds that he has always liked solving problems by tinkering with devices and machines.
After completing high school, he made a list of universities around the world which offered a mechatronics course and said to himself that he would go to the first one that responded positively. That university was KTU.
“Did I know of Lithuania before applying? Definitely! I watch a lot of basketball and knew Lithuania as a basketball powerhouse,” says Tadiwanashe with a smile.
Upon arrival, he was struck by Kaunas’s lush greenery, the many parks, and how close they are to most neighbourhoods. Although it took time to adjust to the new environment, Tadiwanashe says that the clear structure of the curriculum and the study system helped him cope with the academic demands. At the same time, he was impressed by the large-scale events regularly orchestrated on campus.
Continuing the activities he enjoyed back home, such as playing basketball and going to the gym, made it easier for Tadiwanashe to settle into his new surroundings and build friendships here. And with that, everything else became easier.
“The more comfortable you become in a new place, the more you understand how things work, where to use your student discounts, the best places for Lithuanian food (the canteen in my Faculty is a favourite) and how to connect with others,” says a fresh KTU mechatronics graduate from Zimbabwe.
In Kaunas, he found not only close friends but also welcoming places and community centres, including a local Christian community and the county library, where he enjoys spending his time.
As for his studies, Tadiwanashe says that university life became much more enjoyable in the third year, when learning moved into smaller groups and involved more hands-on projects. “Having a small and supportive class made a big difference, as our group was a mix of Lithuanian and international students. That experience greatly helped me to understand Lithuanian culture, respect their values and build strong bonds as we supported each other throughout our studies,” says Tadiwanashe.
He highlights the Erasmus+ study exchanges to Tallinn in Estonia and Rzeszów in Poland among the most academically and personally rewarding.
However, according to Tadiwanashe, the most significant growth came from him joining the student organisation KTU AIESEC, of which he later became president. “From planning cultural exchanges and giving lessons in various Lithuanian schools, to organising summer camps for children and helping them find their way, these experiences with AIESEC KTU were formative and always teamwork-based,” he says.
In Technorama 2025, a search and rescue buoy drone developed by Tadiwanashe and his team won the main Rector’s prize. The drone attracted significant media attention, and the team had the opportunity to present their innovation at the Lithuanian Seimas. When asked if this was the greatest achievement of his time at KTU, he remains humble: “I believe there is always more to learn and higher goals to reach. Winning a prize at Technorama was an honour, but my team and I are still growing.”
The recent KTU graduate says that what matters most is the process of acquiring experience, adding: “I am not yet the engineer I aspire to be.” Already accepted to the master’s degree programme in Mechatronics, he hopes to continue exploring interesting projects, including those involving drones, and to embark on many more endeavours beyond his academic life. Having gained professional experience in a Lithuanian startup, Tadiwanashe aims to be an engineer dedicated to solving problems that matter to local communities.
“Eventually, I aspire to return home and apply the skills and expertise I will have gained over the years,” says the fresh-out-of-KTU graduate from Zimbabwe.
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