Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
ZIMBABWE’s future can only be built through science and technology development, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.
He called on industry, commerce and the private sector to partner the Government in advancing innovation and scientific growth in the country.
Speaking at the official commissioning and handover ceremony of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) Phase 2 project at the University of Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa said the collaboration between Government and private sector will advance the country’s industrialisation and modernisation drive, resulting in increased production of goods and services.
The HPC 2 project was established in collaboration with the Chinese Government.
“The future of Zimbabwe can only be built through science and technology development,” President Mnangagwa said.
“In light of this, the Second Republic introduced the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, with a specific emphasis on Science and Technology Innovation, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), in order to ensure that our education becomes relevant in line with the ever-changing environment.
“This is leapfrogging the industriliastion of our great motherland, Zimbabwe, and is resulting in the production of more domestic goods and services.”
President Mnangagwa said his Government expects that industry, commerce, insurance and banking sectors will partner and support these efforts.
He commended the launch of the HPC 2 project and said high-performance computing is now a crucial component in solving challenges in every sector of the economy.
“Computational science is now indispensable to solving complex problems in every sector, from traditional science and engineering domains to key areas such as national security, public health and economic innovation.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava and Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Zhou Ding (right) display signed documents at the commissioning and official handover of the High Performance Computing Phase 2 project yesterday.
“Hence, high-performance computer instrumentation is very important in scientific research. It is, therefore, commendable that, since the launch of the first phase of the High-Performance Computer in 2015, the HPC has been critical in carrying out advanced scientific research.
“This includes the modelling of weather and climate, through utilising data from our indigenous satellite projects such as ZIMSAT 1 and ZIMSAT 2, as well as the development of the wetlands master plan for Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
He called on scientists and innovators to use the HPC centre and implored institutions of higher learning to ensure no one and no place is left behind in the use of technology.
The President added that the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance should do more to ensure that people understand the technology, including increasing awareness of HPC implementation by academics.
“In this regard, I direct the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development to ensure that State universities’ academics, researchers and our talented young boys and girls are trained on how to use the technology.
“Over and above this, research and learning institutions with limited laboratory facilities should be facilitated to utilise the shared virtual laboratories and electronic learning facilities that have been proffered through the unveiling of this enormous infrastructure.
“In so doing, we will be able to develop a large pool of scientists, who can venture into fields such as robotics, coding and the Internet of Things, technologies which can be life-transforming,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Government will continue to develop the requisite regulatory frameworks as well as ensuring improved access to reliable and affordable internet.
The commissioning of the second phase of the HPC underscores the Second Republic’s commitment to leverage advanced technologies to drive research, computing innovation and multi-sectoral development.
The HPC is already powering projects such as the Impilo Electronic Health Records system, Smart Policing, climate modelling and the digitisation of indigenous languages.
President Mnangagwa said the facility will also support research in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, cyber security, renewable energy, agriculture, mining, tourism modernisation, medical training and robotics.
He thanked China for supporting the project, describing it as a milestone in bilateral relations.
“It is a testament to the enduring cooperation between our two nations towards the pursuit of a shared and prosperous future.
“I would like to thank the People’s Republic of China for their support in the implementation of this high-tech project, which enables our young innovators to realise their dreams,” said President Mnangagwa.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava said the commissioning of the second phase symbolised Government’s unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of science and technology to drive progress across every sector of the economy.
Speaking at the same event, China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said Beijing has reinforced its position as Harare’s largest source of foreign investment and a key trading partner, playing a central role in the country’s journey towards modernisation and industrialisation.
He said the two countries’ relationship has continued to introduce new initiatives that have broadened the scope of bilateral relations beyond traditional sectors.
“In addition to the HPC Centre, China has played a pivotal role in strengthening Zimbabwe’s ICT infrastructure and innovation capabilities,” he said.
“Through tailored assistance products and private sector investment, we are helping Zimbabwe bridge the digital divide and provide inclusive access to digital services for all Zimbabweans.”
