Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has assured full and unparalleled support to the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU) as it moves further from where it has been since its establishment in 2017.
ZNDU was established through Presidential Proclamation 2 of 2017, with its pilot programmes enrolling students from Government institutions only. However, it later opened its doors to the public in February 2021.
It boasts a number of faculties, institutes and centres, including the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Institute of Strategic Research and Analysis, the Science and Innovation Hub, and the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, whose programmes are designed to foster creativity and entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, the University fully exploits the capabilities of its highly qualified academic and technical staff, in conjunction with purpose-built infrastructure, in fulfilment of its obligations.
Speaking at the institution’s strategic planning workshop being held at a Bulawayo hotel yesterday, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane, said the OPC will give its full shoulder to the plough in order to move ZNDU further from where it has been.
“It is this particular drive that says we want this institution to be a place where everyone would want to come to it and therefore would want to be associated with the right things. I would like to say to you, from the Office of the President and Cabinet we will certainly give our shoulder to the plough and make sure that we move ZNDU further than where it has been this far,” said Rev Damasane.
He said the University was challenged to align its academic mission with the evolving needs of society as pronounced in the recently promulgated National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Rev Damasane said academia, now more than ever, plays a crucial role in addressing complex global issues—issues that require university graduates to be not only knowledgeable but also adaptable, agile, innovative and committed to the greater good of the nation.
“Over the last few days, you have been engaged in deep discussions facilitated by the Public Service Commission, my belief is that their expertise has helped the University to frame firm strategies that will ensure that our initiatives serve not only the University community but also the larger society that we are a part of,” said Rev Damasane.
He said the decisions made now will define not only the academic landscape but also influence the future trajectory of the communities that it aims to serve, so as to uplift society into an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
