Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
THE National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has emerged as the winner of the eighth edition of the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) National Universities quiz challenge, with the Government challenging university students to use their knowledge and innovation to drive Zimbabwe’s development.
The University of Zimbabwe finished second, while Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) claimed third place in the competition, which attracted 17 universities from across the country.
Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony held in Harare on Friday, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said the competition demonstrated that Zimbabwe’s young people were ready to become leaders and solution providers capable of transforming the country’s economy.
He said the Second Republic had placed youth empowerment at the centre of national development through the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the National Youth Policy and the National Youth Empowerment Strategy.
“Zimbabwe’s future will never be determined by the resources beneath our soil alone. It will be determined by the ideas inside the minds of our young people,” said Minister Machakaire.
“Our greatest national asset is not gold, lithium or platinum. It is an educated, innovative and patriotic generation that is prepared to solve Zimbabwe’s challenges.”
Minister Machakaire said while the Government continued to create opportunities for young people, it was incumbent upon them to take advantage of those opportunities.
“Government can only create opportunities. It is the young people who must seize them,” he said.
He described the annual quiz challenge as “a leadership laboratory” where future ministers, entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators and policymakers sharpened their minds.
“Zimbabwe does not simply need graduates. Zimbabwe needs solution providers. Zimbabwe needs innovators. Zimbabwe needs job creators. Zimbabwe needs ethical leaders,” he said.
The minister also commended participants for demonstrating knowledge of the National Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan, noting that the event coincided with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
UNESCO Regional Advisor for Education for Health and Wellbeing, Ms Patricia Machawira, said higher and tertiary institutions should continue strengthening policies that promote student health, safety and wellbeing.
She said UNESCO, through the O3 Plus programme, was working with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, SAYWHAT and other partners to ensure campuses provided safe and supportive learning environments.
“Students are not just beneficiaries. You are peer educators, advocates, innovators, leaders and accountability partners,” she said.
SAYWHAT executive director Mr Jimmy Wilford said the competition had expanded from 10 universities in 2019 to 17 this year, exposing more students to national development policies and global development frameworks.
“The major win from this competition, beyond the trophies, is that students are being exposed to various national development documents and global development strategies which they will continue to use beyond the competition,” he said.
Mr Wilford said SAYWHAT intended to increase participation to 20 universities while ensuring young people’s voices were systematically included in national development processes.
Speaking after receiving the winners’ trophy, NUST third-year Architecture student Roy Chrispen Muzondo said teamwork and resilience had been key to the institution’s success.
“We almost lost momentum after dropping points in one of the rounds, but we managed to regroup and improve our communication. That is what helped us secure the victory and we hope to defend the title next year,” he said.
Other universities that participated in the competition were Bindura University of Science Education, Catholic University of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Great Zimbabwe University, Gwanda State University, Harare Institute of Technology, Lupane State University, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Midlands State University, Reformed Church University, Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Zimbabwe Open University and Arrupe Jesuit University.
