Online Reporter
Welcome to our live coverage of the 16th graduation ceremony at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), where President Mnangagwa is set to cap hundreds of graduands today.
This momentous occasion will celebrate the achievements of students from diverse fields, including engineering and technology, industrial engineering and management, telecommunication and wireless systems, chemical and process systems engineering, and biotechnology.
Join us for as our reporter Debra Matabvu and photographer Joseph Manditswara gives us live updates on this significant milestone for the future leaders and innovators of Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa arrives at HIT
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) for the institution’s 16th graduation ceremony.
President Mnangagwa has arrived at HIT for the institution’s 16th graduation ceremony. He is currently touring innovative projects developed by students — Pictures: Joseph Manditsvara.
He is being welcomed by HIT Vice Chancellor Prof Quinton Kanhukamwe and the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava, among others.
President tours innovative student projects at HIT
President Mnangagwa is currently touring a range of innovative projects developed by students at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT).
Among the showcased initiatives is the Future Mobility urban mass transportation system—a modern tram system designed to address the growing demand for efficient urban transit solutions.
In addition to the mobility project, the President also visited a lithium battery production plant.
Another highlight of the tour was the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Case Management System, a digital platform designed to modernize and streamline police operations across the country.
HIT Vice Chancellor highlights innovations and future plans
Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Quinton Kanhukamwe, has taken to the podium.
Prof Kanhukamwe began by congratulating President Mnangagwa on the successful completion of his tenure as SADC Chairperson and extended warm wishes to the President ahead of his upcoming birthday.
Reflecting on HIT’s academic evolution, the Vice Chancellor noted that seven years ago, the institution made a bold move to integrate Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence modules across all degree programs, ensuring that no student is left behind in the digital era. He stated that this initiative has yielded positive results.
He further revealed that HIT is in the process of realigning its strategic plan with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS2), ensuring its operations and innovations remain in step with national priorities.
Prof Kanhukamwe declared that HIT is redefining boundaries in technology and continues to position itself as a center of excellence in applied research and innovation.
As evidence of its growing impact, HIT has received certificates of excellence from peer reviews and academic journals.
Prof Quinton Kanhukanwe giving his remarks.
Among the groundbreaking innovations developed by HIT researchers are:
* A breakthrough in oxygen-aluminum battery technology, promising new energy storage solutions.
* Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors.
* Telepresence robots for use in the medical field.
* Deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture to enhance productivity and efficiency.
He mentioned that HIT plans to increase the production of lithium batteries to 90 units per day and begin sales by the end of the month.
Additionally, HIT has launched a PET bottle manufacturing plant in Mutare, which produces 5,000 bottles per hour.
‘Zimbabwe needs hard workers, not grumblers’
Prof Kanhukamwe says Zimbabwe has no room for grumblers, but only for those prepared to work for the country.
He says accolades will not define the graduands, adding that they will be defined through service to humanity and the country.
641 graduands are set to be capped today. Of these, 87 are postgraduate graduands.
This year, HIT is celebrating 20 years of establishment.
Conferment of degrees and academic awards begins
