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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
LUPANE State University (LSU) students who won national awards for their innovation of turning plastic bottles into top dressing fertiliser are seeking US$30 000 to travel to Puerto Rico to represent Zimbabwe.
The students participated in the National Competition of ENACTUS Zimbabwe last month where they showcased the project and scooped the first prize, which came with a Z$400 000 package.
The LSU team is expected to represent Zimbabwe in the ENACTUS World Cup in Puerto Rico from October 30 to November 3.
The students developed an innovative way to turn plastic bottles into a top dressing fertiliser product called “Petilizer”, which they say could contribute to sustainable agriculture across the country.
The innovative project is part of efforts by students to provide a solution for plastic waste management and enhancing agricultural business in Matabeleland and more particularly Lupane District.
According to the students, the process can turn 100kgs of PET plastic bottles into 330kgs of fertiliser, through smelting, adding worms and compost.
Through the breakthrough, the university students are also tackling the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as ‘No to Poverty’, ‘Zero Hunger’, ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’, ‘Climate Action’ and ‘Life on Land’.
Mr Bukhosi Dumoluhle Mpofu, LSU faculty advisor, business clinic development manager and lecturer in the Human Capital Development Department said 10 students and a lecturer are set to travel to Puerto Rico, which will cost US$30 000.
“We are still seeking financial assistance in terms of visas, travel; subsistence and our accommodation for us to go to these World Cup finals. We come from a small institution and they have done so much for us in terms of funding for the national competitions and also for us establishing our project. But for now, we are looking for funding of US$29 000 and something which is almost US$30 000. It’s a team of 11, students and one faculty advisor which is myself,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said they were rushing to beat the October 7 deadline for them to confirm that they are participating in the World Cup.
“We should have communicated with ENACTUS Zimbabwe by October 7, letting them know our plans and if we can attend or not.
This is where we are and our appeal is to external stakeholders, wellwishers, the Ministry and angel financers so that they can come on board.
Even those who want to upscale our project can come on board,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said they have started the visa application process with the help of ENACTUS Zimbabwe.
“What is still holding progress is firstly getting our visas. Because we have done the applications and are still to go for appointments at the US Embassy Consulate in Harare. We haven’t been given a date, but ENACTUS Zimbabwe is working closely to try and get a date,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said it was important that LSU participates in such competitions to show that anything was possible.
“It’s a dream for some to actually go to Harare to be at the national finals and let alone win the competition which has renowned universities such as UZ and MSU.
It’s a confidence booster for those students especially those who come from a rural university like LSU. This shows any student around the world that these things are possible and they can get to that level, brushing shoulders with renowned people who we’ll likely meet in Puerto Rico,” said Mr Mpofu.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira encouraged the students to apply to the Ministry for assistance through their university.
“I’m aware of the innovation, and they had it for a competition and they won. We are there to encourage those things. I didn’t know that they were going to go to Puerto Rico, we shall know that from official channels. The issue is that we are very positive about those things,” said Prof Murwira.
He said the innovation was in line with Education 5.0 policy premised on problem-solving and value creation and Zimbabwe’s modernization and industrialization champions must be state universities.
“Our Ministry is encouraging Education 5.0 and what the students are doing is exactly Education 5.0. They know what to do when they want help and normally we are very positive about that.
“We actually have an MSU team that won the Manfred LACHS Space Moot Court and they are going to France and we are sending them there. We have such provisions as long as we have been told on time as we normally budget for those things,” said Prof Murwira.
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