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Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
CHINHOYI University of Technology (CUT) vice-chancellor Professor David Jambwa Simbi, has said the university is driven by its drive to provide educational services.
Simbi said this during an interview with H- Metro, after the province’s only institute of higher learning, scooped a national award at the Harare Agricultural Show that ended last week.
CUT won the Best Tertiary Institution Category.
However, Simbi attributed the winning to teamwork.
“The first thing to say is what are we here for and the reason is we are here to provide education for them.
“So, when you win an award. Is it yours or for the people? When you win it, is it for Simbi or the teamwork that you work with?
“Once you infuse that in people, they are always wanting to be at the top and it becomes motivating.
“So, when we do our projects in line with education 5.0, we are guided by that principle that we are not doing things for personal glory but to then be able to discharge these results to the people.
“They are only two, products and services. And what you witnessed at the Harare Agricultural Show is a drive towards providing an educational service. That’s what that status is all about,” he said.
“But infusing that there are products that have been made at the university by members of staff and students which have now become national products.
“For example, the block leak, now we are dealing with fish feed, soldier fly. All these are attempts at meeting the culture and heritage agenda as enshrined in Education 5.0.
“The secret behind the university’s success is realising that everyone has potential.
“When you see a guard, don’t think he is a useless person who does not think. It’s just a step, but should you be able to tell him that we want to do this and that?
“So, in other words, identifying potential in people and having trust in people. The people you work with are what makes it a success.
“Because on your own, your words can fall on ground that is not fertile, but with people, they will realize this is on rocky ground and put it on nice soft soil.
“It is about realising the potential in people and harnessing it. That’s the secret to success.”
Meanwhile, Simbi also revealed that the University is now offering a Degree in Correctional Services.
“The Prison and Correctional services came to us that they want to offer a degree that is good and services for inmates who eventually will be discharged into the community,” said Simbi.
He said the degree is really centred on rehabilitation courses.
“In other words, people think because you have been a felon, you cannot change. But it’s how you prepare him to go out.
“What is the mindset of this felony? Is he really saying I am now what I am? Remember, many people have been discharged from prison by a Presidential decree, tomorrow they are back in prison.
“So, had we done the correct thing in terms of educating those who guard them and the prisoners themselves?
“Sort of say, yes you did something wrong and you agree that you did something wrong but are you now converted to be able and what will you be able to go and do,” he said.
Simbi said the most imperative thing is your mindset.
“It’s the mindset, you might not be able to say this is the job for you, no but his mindset changed to be ready to contribute to society.
“That’s what we have been helping the correctional services and I think very soon, that degree program might be moved to the Zimbabwe National Defence Unit or the Staff College, where they normally do their courses,” said Simbi.
Online Reporter