Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Reporter
The Government is focused on accelerating rural industrialisation by promoting innovations within educational institutions, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava has said.
He made the remarks yesterday during a tour of several institutions, including Kwekwe Polytechnic and Mkoba Teachers’ College, where he assessed ongoing innovation projects.
During the visits, the institutions showcased a range of creations including a mobile Pfumvudza hole‑driller, an automated heavy‑duty jack stand, a mobile solar compressor, electric bicycles and multidisciplinary sports wheelchairs.
Said Dr Shava: “The good work you are undertaking here is not only shaping the lives of individuals within Midlands Province but also contributing significantly to the broader development and progress of Zimbabwe.”
He commended the institutions for their swift adoption of the Heritage‑Based Curriculum — commonly known as Education 5.0 — which shifts the educational focus from theoretical learning to practical solutions that foster industrialisation.
“Witnessing first‑hand the tangible results of your dedicated efforts has been commendable,” he added.
Dr Shava underscored the importance of integrating technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and blockchain into curricula to better prepare graduates for the requirements of the modern workforce.
He noted that under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS1), the science, technology, digital innovation and human capital development priority area emphasises strategic technology leapfrogging.
Dr Shava further urged institutions of higher learning to collaborate closely with industry partners in order to develop relevant training programmes.
“I challenge you to commercialise these research outputs . . . The mandate of this department is to assist institutions in turning their innovative ideas into viable ventures that benefit our people,” he said.
Mkoba Teachers’ College principal, Dr Rosina Mavunga, spoke about the institution’s commitment to community‑focused education.
“In line with rural industrialisation and NDS1, we have established a high school in the Chiundura area, called Kangarabwe High School. The school, which is a work in progress, has already opened, while a primary school is also being constructed,” she said.
“Here we also offer STEM programmes for training secondary‑school teachers, and this is the department that gives us many of our innovations. Next month, we are also starting a new programme — the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree — to promote science as a subject.”
Dr Mavunga added that most of their innovations are produced using readily available resources to ensure that no one is left behind. The initiative reflects the Government’s aim to enhance educational practices while addressing technological and industrial challenges facing the country.
