admin
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT has made available funds for new graduates who register their companies via their parent colleges, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira has said.
Speaking on Professor Murwira’s behalf at Mutare Polytechnic’s 32nd graduation today, Deputy Minister Raymond Machingura said the provision is meant to encourage new graduates to create employment while at the same time formalising their businesses.
A total of 1032 graduates graduated with diplomas and certificates during the colourful ceremony.
“Government is ready to support you. Funding is already available. All you need to do is register your company, write your proposal and submit it via your parent college and I guarantee you that funding will be made available to you,” he said.
Professor Murwira said the funding provision has been made possible through the Zimbabwe Graduate Employment Creation and Development Programme (ZGECDP) which anchors on Heritage-based Education 5.0.
“Government expects colleges to form industries and graduates to form companies that will produce goods and services that our country needs. Which is why Government is supporting students and graduates in starting their own companies,” he said.
He said the country’s goal is industrialisation and modernisation and that it can only be achieved through human capital development.
Professor Muwrira said colleges and universities should heed President Mnangagwa’s call on their institutions to develop start-up companies and consortiums.
He went on to commend the institution for implementing graduate employment programmes saying that it is in line with Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy.
“This proves Government’s thrust that with skills and knowledge, nothing is impossible. Our Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education is achieving a lot of work through its own tertiary institutions,” he said.
Also addressing the graduates on behalf of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Minister Nokhuthula Matsikenyeri, Permanent Secretary in her office, Mr Edgars Seenza urged the graduates to continue upholding the name of the college, while transforming the face of the country’s economy.
“Go out there and create a different yet better world. Zimbabwe awaits your contribution towards the fulfilment of Vision 2030 while using the National Development Strategy (NDS1). As youths, transforming the face of the country’s economy should be your primary goal and Government believes that with Education 5.0, you will indeed transform it,” she said.
Mutare Polytechnic College Principal, Ms Poniso Watema said there has been a 36 percent increase in graduands from previous years and that this shows that the Heritage based curriculum is helping sell the pacesetter brand.
“This graduation’s theme ‘Economic empowerment growth through TVetisation’ resonates well with Ministry’s heritage based education and Government’s thrust leave no one and no place behind while anchored on the NDS1.
“The institution continues to play its part towards attaining a knowledge driven economy by 2030. We are making sure that everyone must be equipped to contribute to the development of the country,” she said.
Online Reporter