MSU, Unicef sign MoU

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief

THE Midlands State University (MSU) and Unicef Zimbabwe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting and protecting children’s rights while using the university’s knowledge skills. Globally, the United Nations agencies such as Unicef are at the forefront of supporting countries in developments that advocate and influence policy and legislative environment for improved investments for children through technical, financial and infrastructure support, among others. 

Similarly, institutions of higher education like the MSU are also now focusing on contributing towards production of graduates who create employment and develop the country, not employment seekers. MSU Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa and Unicef Zimbabwe Representative Dr Tajudeen Olewale signed the MoU yesterday at the university’s main campus in Gweru.

Prof Muzvidziwa said the expectation of “Education 5.0” was for higher education in Zimbabwe to produce graduates that can function independently without waiting for employment.

“To achieve this goal, there is a need for institutions of higher education to also establish functional partnerships, alliances and networks with like minds within and outside of the education sector. This is why the occasion today is a momentous one because it brings us to a new dawn as Midlands State University enters into partnership with Unicef to support the implementation of the Unicef Country Office Zimbabwe 2022 – 2026 Programme of Work,” he said.

Prof Muzvidziwa said the MoU seeks to enter into a collaboration that would facilitate research, capacity development, policy analysis and advocacy in line with mutual interests for national policy making or programming for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe. 

“In Article 3, the areas of collaboration are academic, research and innovation collaboration, technical exchange and engagement of Midlands State University students for exchange, research and/or internships,” he said. 

Prof Muzvidziwa said the MoU captures the aspirations of the MSU as it forges ahead to becoming a key player in supporting the Government in its implementation of the National Development Strategy (NDS 1).

“We could not be asking for a better collaboration than what we are about to enter into with Unicef, a UN agency whose mandate is education, the girl child, water, climate change and environment, communication and health among others. This collaboration presents vast opportunities for resource mobilisation in areas of mutual interest including research,” he said.

“MSU takes this collaboration seriously as it makes us a part of the solution as opposed to being a problem. I want to reiterate that we are committed to collaboration and success, and we shall register in those areas of agreed interests.”

Prof Muzvidziwa said the university will deploy all its managerial resources to ensure transparency, accountability and adherence to all financial and operating agreements, intellectual property issues and data protection as stipulated in the MoU.  Dr Olewale said the purpose of the MoU is to establish a formal partnership between MSU and Unicef Zimbabwe that provides a platform for the generation and sharing of knowledge about children and child rights.

“The broad objectives of this MoU are to promote and enhance co-operation among relevant stakeholders including the Government, academia, development partners, private sector, and civil society,” he said.

The intervention strengthens the stakeholders’ capacity to advocate and influence policy and legislative environment for improved investments for children, said Dr Olewale. He said these will be achieved through various joint activities such as research in various themes, including child rights, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection, education, social protection, social policy, and child empowerment and participation.

“This will result in the development of innovative strategies that inform policies aimed at eradicating poverty, address climatic change, achieve gender access to maternal health, mental health and psycho-social equality services and to promote and enhance access to renewable energy in communities,” said Dr Olewale.