adminEllen Chasokela Herald Reporter
Government has availed $10 million to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development for research projects in colleges and universities.
The funding is in response to President Mnangagwa’s desire that one percent of GDP should go to research and development, a Government official has said.
Addressing a higher education validation workshop this week, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development permanent secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira said Government had several research priority areas which required a lot of funding.
“Universities are stepping out to help develop the nation, they are availing themselves to Government and asking what the challenges are and what part they can play in resolving those challenges,” he said.
“They have also been coming up with proposals and these are being evaluated by independent people to determine which university or institution should get funding.
“Government has been talking about small grains because of climate change, the focus must be on increasing small grain production, so universities are already writing proposals to do a research on small grains, especially the reason that farmers do not want to grow small grains.
“We also have universities that are mapping the Chimanimani area to try and come up with a disaster mitigation plan in case of another disaster.
“Chinhoyi is doing a livestock restocking programme, that’s another priority programme by the Government.”
Online Reporter