GZU signs MoU to modernise ICT services

George Maponga

Masvingo Bureau

Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) has inked an MoU with Norpax Technologies and Huawei in a landmark development set to revolutionise teaching and learning at the institution through harnessing of latest digital technologies.

The MoU was signed at the university’s Herbet Chitepo Law School with GZU registrar, Mrs Sinikiwe Gwatidzo representing her institution while Norpax Technologies was represented by its chair, Mr Bruce Blake and Technical Director, Engineer Kundai Mutamba.

Speaking after signing the MoU, Eng Mutamba hailed the development as a watershed moment in the history of university education in Zimbabwe.

He said Norpax and Huawei wanted to usher in a new dawn in ICT for university learning congruent to the needs of the 21st century.

“We are talking about the 21st century generation where university students are armed with their smart phones and laptops but there is a mismatch in these institutions in terms of building of resilient infrastructure and we are coming in to bridge that mismatch to make sure there is digital infrastructure to enable conducting of virtual lessons, accessing pre-recorded lectures among other things.”

Norpax Technologies and Huawei wants to replicate the partnership with GZU to other institutions of higher learning under via a student-funded model where all ICT solutions would be provided for learners.

GZU ICT director Mr Daniel Govo also hailed the marriage with Norpax and Huawei, which he said had set the university on the cusp of a giant leap in digital transformation.

“We are talking of revolutionarising learning and teaching at our university through developments that will come with the MoU we have signed today,” said Mr Govo.

“This arrangement will see our network being upgraded while digital equipment for the classroom will also be provided as well as digital equipment that we deploy for use. Its a whole gamut from the use of digital content and access of internet services at GZU.”

GZU’s student population has been rapidly growing and is now estimated at over 15 000 and the institution is a pioneer of the multi-campus system.