adminThe Rhodesian Herald,
October 4, 1971
THE Principal of Witwatersrand University, Professor G.R. Bozzoli, spoke out last night against the siting of an engineering faculty for the University of Rhodesia in Bulawayo.
In an interview here, he said it would be “unfortunate” if the engineering faculty were separated from the other parts of the University.
“If this was done, the engineering student would become an isolated, highly trained, on-educated person. He needs the educational exchange with students of other faculties including law,” said the professor.
“The success of an engineering faculty depends upon the degree of industrialisation of the city in which the university is sited,” he said.
“The engineering students need this ready-made practical background to see engineering being under-taken during the course of their studies.
“But I would prefer to sacrifice an equal or greater degree of industrialisation in another city to keep the engineering faculty in the main university complex.”
Professor Bozzoli said it was vital for Rhodesia to have an engineering faculty. It would be an important addition to the country’s educational facilities and professional training facilities.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
During the early years of the establishment of the University of Zimbabwe, it was not feasible that its faculties be separated, considering that the focus was on developing and growing each faculty through the hiring of qualified staff; enrolling well- qualified students and ensuring that the department was well equipped.
But in 1991, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) was established in Bulawayo, becoming Zimbabwe’s second university, offering engineering programmes. There are now more than a dozen universities offering a variety of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The major transformations in tertiary education through curriculum development and use of ICTs have seen people accessing education through distant learning. Thus faculties do not necessarily require physical settings. Online learning is now the new normal.
The new adaptations incorporated in tertiary education during the past few decades have seen educational institutions managing to offer learning facilities even under the current Covid-19 pandemic. Even disciplines such as engineering are offering online classes. However, more funding is required to capacitate faculties and students in order to produce wholesome graduates.
Technology is also enabling students to take up various courses they believe will be beneficial for their professional growth.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter