adminVirimayi Nzira and Admire Masuku
Image is everything. A strong, positive image is a precursor of success. An educational institution’s influence is not only measured by its competence in imparting academic and practical knowledge to students, but also by its commitment in ensuring that such learning is done under a conducive environment.
Harare Polytechnic is rebranding its image through projects aimed at enhancing service delivery and creating a favourable learning atmosphere. To keep up with objectives and goals of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset), under the infrastructure cluster, Harare Polytechnic has embarked on an infrastructural development programme.
Harare Polytechnic is currently constructing a perimeter wall to improve institutional image and security for the benefit of its students and staff.
The project is being undertaken on a phased approach.
Contractors who are working on the project have finished building the perimeter wall on the northern and eastern sides of the institution.
Funds permitting, the remaining two sides will be covered in the near future.
To further improve security, a modern guardroom which will have advanced security appliances has also been completed.
Also, the institution now has an extensive Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) information management system security covering most critical facilities such as the campus entry points, students’ canteen, accounts offices and libraries.
Since opening its doors in 1919, Harare Polytechnic did not have a health facility as it relied on a temporary clinic. To improve healthcare and service delivery for the Harare Polytechnic community, the institution has finished constructing a modern clinic that is set to be commissioned soon.
The new state-of-the art clinic will offer advanced medical care to the institution’s more than 5,000 students and staff members. Arrangements are being made to have a visiting doctor. Most buildings at the country’s oldest technical tertiary institution have outlived their lifespan and are in need of a facelift.
As part of efforts for an institutional makeover, areas such as the Printing and Graphic Arts Department, Mass Communication, Science, Commerce classrooms as well as the Old Administration and Boardroom were painted, renovated and redecorated.
Tiling of offices and classrooms is also progressing in earnest.
Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) is also complementing the insti-tution’s initiatives through the construction of a three-storey digital library.
Among other features, the digital library will operate under the Virtual Library concept and would have a Wi-Fi hub to allow students 24 hour access to library resources. A technology park will be set up in the eastern of the library where students can relax by reading. Among other projects that the institution has undertaken this year is the construction of a basketball and tennis court grand stand with a capacity of accommodating 500 people.
derick.khumalo