Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
ALL is set for the Scholastica Expo 2025 which kicks off on Wednesday, with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company reviving the event as a first stand-alone edition in over a decade.
It will be held under the theme “Empowering Future Generations through Heritage-Based Education and Innovation,” from Wednesday (30 July) to Friday (1 August) at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (Zices) in Bulawayo.
It seeks to draw 5 000 participants from across Zimbabwe while close to 50 exhibitors are expected to showcase during the three-day Expo.
To date, 40 exhibitors have registered with space still available for those that want to exhibit.
ZITF Company Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager Mr Thandolwenkosi Nkomo underscored the significance of the re-launch.
“The main reason behind the re-launch has been feedback from main stakeholders who have continuously called for a stand-alone Expo that will give them enough time to thrash out issues surrounding the education sector, career outcomes of students and how to address the gap that exists between industry and academia,” he said.
“We invite students, educators, professionals and industry stakeholders to be part of this historic moment-where education meets innovation and opportunities take flight. Positioning Scholastica as a stand-alone expo signals our commitment to advancing education and career development opportunities.”
He said with the ambitious target of 5 000 participants, they aim to create an unparalleled platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation.
Mr Nkomo said they want Scholastica Expo to be the go-to event for students, professionals, educators, innovators, development agencies, businesses, recruiters — everyone with an interest in the education sector.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap between industry and academia and facilitate the production of a future-ready and relevant workforce for the country.”
He said the stand-alone edition will ensure the right people interact with the student market, rather than being a side event held on the sidelines of the premier trade showcase, ZITF.
Mr Nkomo said having the Expo during the ZITF period often resulted in limited space as the over-subscribed trade showcase would fail to accommodate students in their large numbers.
“Due to limited space, sometimes Scholastica would actually run outside of the ZICES, at one time it was held at the Academy of Music to accommodate more numbers. Then the other thing that makes it different as a stand-alone event is that for the first time, we are actually dedicating space for exhibitors and our students to be in the same vicinity,” he said.
“So, if you remember during ZITF, in hall three there would be exhibitors for the education sector, but students would not be visible there or only a few representing their tertiary institutions. During ZITF the students would also be running the Scholastica conference which could be outside our premises and they would not be in the proximity of the exhibitors.”
He said this time around, they have actually created a space where students can have break-away sessions, actually meet industry representatives and not compete with other people who would have come to do other business during ZITF.
Mr Nkomo said companies that will be participating at the Scholastica Expo should send their human resources practitioners and managers who will share career and work readiness information with Expo visitors.
He said: “On spotlight at the Expo will be the main conference and official opening on Thursday with a keynote address from the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Ambassador Frederick Shava. There is also a programme for high school students and another one for university students.”
Mr Nkomo said the programmes will include career talks, workshops, seminars and mock interviews.
He said as the ZITF Company, known for its role in facilitating trade fairs and exhibitions in Zimbabwe, with a commitment to promoting education and professional development, they aim to create impactful events that foster growth and collaboration in the education sector.
Mr Nkomo added: “When it comes to Education 5.0, a heritage-based educational philosophy focused on driving national development through innovation and industrialisation, we want the Scholastica Expo to showcase how Education 5.0 links with the career outcomes of students and links with industry needs.”
“So you note that the conference itself provides an ideal platform for players in the education industry to come together and say in view of Vision 2030 of a prosperous upper-middle-income nation, National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 and 2 as well as the Education 5.0 heritage-based curriculum, how are we aligning and bridging the gap that exists between industry and academia.”
He said the goal was to have a future-fit workforce and what was now needed is for industry players, education sector, parents, teachers, principals, publishers and all those contributing to the future of students, to come together, put their minds together and chart the way forward.
Scholastica Expo 2025 will ensure high school students explore future educational and career options, university students seek internships and job placements.
While educators look for innovative teaching methodologies, career counsellors look to gain insights to assist students and parents seek information to support their children’s education.
As well as industry professionals look to connect with potential talent and partnerships, and explore more career options, with policymakers discussing educational challenges and solutions.
Meanwhile, primary school students can be afforded time to come and have an interaction with the exhibitors. While, the invitation is also open to those who are interested to come and have a sneak peek.
