Vusumuzi Dube
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Writer
ZIMBABWE is set to host another high-level Southern African Development Community (SADC) Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Education and Training and Science, Technology and Innovation.
The meeting is scheduled for 20 June in Harare and will bring together key regional stakeholders, to assess progress on sectoral programmes and refine policy frameworks to drive regional development and integration.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, on 17 August 2024, the country assumed the Chair of the SADC at the 44th SADC Summit Heads of States and Governments that was held in Harare.
In a statement, the SADC Secretariat said: “The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Education and Training and Science, Technology and Innovation is scheduled to convene on 20 June 2025 in Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe.
“The meeting will focus on reviewing policy and regulatory frameworks as well as the implementation status of programmes within, by the respective sectors.”
The Joint Ministerial Meeting is a critical platform for aligning regional education and innovation strategies, with SADC’s broader vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
“This high-level ministerial platform plays a critical role in advancing regional integration, development and innovation through strategic investment in education, training, science, technology and innovation. Ministers will assess the progress made on decisions from previous meetings and evaluate implementation of various protocols and policies aimed at enhancing regional collaboration,” reads part of the statement.
The meeting will be chaired by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava.
The SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms Angèle Makombo N’tumba, will represent the Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi.
Key agenda items include progress on the operationalisation of the SADC University of Transformation (SUT), which is envisioned as a regional centre of excellence in entrepreneurship, technology transfer and enterprise development. The initiative supports SADC’s industrialisation and innovation agenda.
Ministers are also expected to deliberate on the Regional Higher Education Strategic Framework and the recently adopted SADC Futures of Higher Education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy Framework.
These provide strategic direction for institutions and member states in enhancing access, quality and relevance of education and training.
Further discussions will centre on the revised Regional TVET Strategic Framework, which addresses emerging global challenges such as climate change and digital transformation. The framework is designed to make TVET more responsive to labour market needs while equipping learners with future-ready skills.
The meeting will also review the implementation and review of the SADC Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation, which was acceded to in 2017.
The protocol seeks to foster cross-border collaboration in STI development and technology transfer.
In a bid to strengthen cultural heritage and promote sustainable development, Ministers will consider progress on the development of the Regional Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Strategy and the rollout of the Seventh IKS Policy.
These frameworks promote collaboration between policymakers, researchers, knowledge holders and local communities.
Other key items on the agenda include the SADC Charter on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Organisation, aimed at empowering women and girls in Stem fields and a regional report, highlighting the urgent need for reliable education and health data.
The report will inform school health and adolescent wellness programmes, with a strong focus on HIV awareness, sexual and reproductive health, mental health and violence prevention.
“This Joint Ministerial Meeting reinforces SADC’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy, empowering citizens through quality education and innovation and promoting inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development across the region,” the Secretariat said.
The ministerial meeting will be preceded by the gathering of SADC Senior Officials on 17–18 June, followed by the SADC High-Level Ministerial Round Table Dialogue on Impactful Foundational Literacy and Numeracy on 19 June.
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