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The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach

Thandolwenkosi Maphosa 1,
Trust Tawanda 1,
Caret Nduna Ncube 1 *
1 National University of Science and Technology, ZIMBABWE* Corresponding Author
Educational Point, 3(1), 2026, e160, https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788
Publication date: Jun 20, 2026
Research Article
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ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the efficiency of STEM departments at a Zimbabwean university using Data Envelopment Analysis and the Malmquist Productivity Index. Guided by Education 5.0 and persistent resource constraints, the analysis assesses performance using inputs (staff, budgets, programmes, teaching assistants) and outputs (graduates, publications, citations, grants). Overall efficiency improved from 24% in 2023 to 45% in 2024. Sensitivity tests show that programme offerings and graduate output are the strongest drivers of efficiency, while slack analysis highlights opportunities to optimise resource utilisation. Benchmarking identifies DMU14 and DMU33 as top performers that can serve as models for weaker departments. Unlike much of the global literature, this study emphasises resource reallocation rather than frontier shifts, reflecting the realities of low-funding environments. Recommendations include targeted budget adjustments, structured benchmarking, and policy measures to address STEM-specific costs. The findings support evidence-based decision-making and advance methodological debates on DEA in resource-constrained settings.

KEYWORDS

STEM efficiency data envelopment analysis Malmquist productivity index

CITATION (APA)

Maphosa, T., Tawanda, T., & Ncube, C. N. (2026). The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach. Educational Point, 3(1), e160. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788
Harvard
Maphosa, T., Tawanda, T., and Ncube, C. N. (2026). The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach. Educational Point, 3(1), e160. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788
Vancouver
Maphosa T, Tawanda T, Ncube CN. The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach. Educational Point. 2026;3(1):e160. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788
AMA
Maphosa T, Tawanda T, Ncube CN. The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach. Educational Point. 2026;3(1), e160. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788
Chicago
Maphosa, Thandolwenkosi, Trust Tawanda, and Caret Nduna Ncube. "The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach". Educational Point 2026 3 no. 1 (2026): e160. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788
MLA
Maphosa, Thandolwenkosi et al. "The Efficiency of STEM Departments in a Zimbabwean University: A Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Approach". Educational Point, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026, e160. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/18788

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