Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Writer
THE Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has announced plans to elevate the strategic importance of the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU), pledging full and unwavering support to transform the institution into a national hub for innovation, security thinking and policy-driven research.
Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane, said Government wants ZNDU to evolve from being solely a defence university into a leading centre of excellence whose work directly informs national development and security priorities under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Speaking during ZNDU’s strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo on Friday, Rev Damasane assured that the OPC will give its full backing to ensure the university moves beyond its current achievements and fully realises its mandate.
“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,” he said.
Established through Presidential Proclamation 2 of 2017, ZNDU initially offered programmes to Government institutions before opening its doors to the public in 2021. Today, it houses several faculties and centres — including Social Sciences, Engineering, the Institute of Strategic Research and Analysis, the Science and Innovation Hub and the Centre for Defence and Security Studies — all designed to nurture critical thinking, creativity and entrepreneurial competence.
Rev Damasane said ZNDU must now sharpen its academic mission to match the nation’s evolving needs, particularly as Zimbabwe intensifies its push towards attaining an upper- middle-income economy by 2030.
He emphasised that modern universities must produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but agile, innovative and capable of confronting complex global challenges.
“Over the last few days, you have been engaged in deep discussions facilitated by the Public Service Commission. I believe 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 urged the university council to prioritise curriculum development that enhances problem-solving and fosters cutting-edge research, especially in areas of national interest.
Rev Damasane commended Rev Damasane commended ZNDU for developing programmes that empower students to thrive in an increasingly complex world but noted that more still needs to be done to harness academic output for national benefit.
He said ZNDU has a unique opportunity to generate knowledge that drives positive change.
“We must promote research that addresses local and global challenges, turning our intellectual resources into solutions for public service. There is more that still needs to be achieved in this area,” said Rev Damasane.
ZNDU is led by Vice-Chancellor Air Vice-Marshall Michael Tedzani Moyo.
