HIT, Schweppes enter into strategic alliance

their products.

Harare Institute of Technology Vice Chancellor Mr Quinton Chamunorwa said this when he signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the institution and Schweppes Zimbabwe Ltd.
The MoU will see Schweppes employees being trained at HIT on principles of production of beverages and new technology usage.
“There is greater recognition of the strategic importance of partnerships between Government institutions and private companies. The acronym PPPs captures this new phenomenon where institutions pool together their combined capacities for public good.

“The co-operation of these two institutions includes the provision of training leading to a certificate and diploma in Beverages Processing Technology and training of Schweppes personnel in basic beverage technologies.

“This arrangement is meant to improve the performance and assure quality in all Schweppes operations as articulated in their mission and vision,” he said.
Schweppes managing director Mr Charles Msipa said this co-operation will see increase of skills among employees.
“This co-operation will help increase skills among Schweppes employees in beverage production therefore guaranteeing the production of high quality products,” he said.

Mr Msipa said that more employees would be exposed to more technology during their training with HIT.
Mr Chamunorwa said many countries have developed because they have strong and well-equipped academic institutions providing solutions to industry.
“Through such co-operation, research which is the foundation of academic institutions will be promoted . . . Industry on its part can play the important role of funding research as part of its social corporate responsibility,” he said.

He added that technological imperatives, the need for cost-effectiveness and health issues impel companies to constantly review their manufacturing processes.
Mr Chamunorwa said that globalisation had also brought serious competition to local industry.

“Zimbabwe currently does not have a legislated National Beverages Standard governing beverages manufacturing.
“What we have are isolated cases where institutions voluntarily submit their standards to the Standards Association of Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said those not subjecting to the standards are saturating the market with cheap and poor quality products which expose citizens to unnecessary health challenges.

“Consequently, it is imperative that the nation moves towards the adoption of the national standards which will protect our industry and citizens at large,” said Mr Chamunorwa.