Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
PUBLIC Service Commission (PSC) chairman Dr Vincent Hungwe says the harmonisation of university outputs with the human capital needs of the public service is no longer optional, but imperative.
He said this while delivering the 2025 Chairman’s Public Lecture at Great Zimbabwe University on Thursday.
His address was on service delivery and human capital development.
“Universities must transcend the traditional role of knowledge dissemination to become dynamic ecosystems and strategic partners in national transformation,” he said.
“Academia and the public service must work hand in hand to co-create pathways that align educational outcomes with the practical realities and priorities of governance and development.”
In this shared mission, Dr Hungwe emphasised Section 202 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2023.
“In line with Section 203, the PSC is mandated to recruit and manage human resources for both entry-level and promotional posts across Government ministries,” he said.
“This talent acquisition process includes attracting, selecting and appointing suitable candidates to fill vacancies on either a temporary or permanent basis.”
Dr Hungwe said joint training programmes are among the most immediate and impactful collaborations.
“Co-designed curricula that blend theoretical foundations with practical competencies tailored for the public sector are essential.
“Examples include postgraduate diplomas in public management jointly offered by universities and government training institutions, where students rotate between classroom learning and fieldwork in ministries,” he added.
The programme is running under the theme: “Harmonising University Heritage-Based Education with Public Service Human Capital Priorities: Building a Skilled and Adaptive Public Service Workforce.”
Over 200 people, provincial heads of department, university principals, students, and community members engaged directly with Dr Hungwe on strategies to strengthen institutional capacity and improve service delivery outcomes across Zimbabwe.
In this regard, Dr Vincent Hungwe said the commission must connect university knowledge with the changing workforce demands of public service.
“The ability of any nation to deliver efficient public services and implement meaningful reforms is fundamentally anchored in the quality, preparedness, and adaptability of its workforce,” he said.
“This progressive ethos, rooted in cultural relevance and academic rigour, makes our gathering both strategic and symbolic.”
This three‑hour session included a plenary discussion, examined the PSC’s mandated functions and emerging opportunities in the public sector.
