Chronicle Editor
THE inaugural Presidential Innovation Fair, which is designed to showcase the strides made by Zimbabwean institutions of higher learning starts in Harare today.
The two-day event organised by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development will see outstanding universities and colleges being awarded for their innovations.
The fair will be held annually.
Higher and tertiary institutions, agencies and other Government research and innovation departments will exhibit innovations that are market ready or are already at commercialisation stage and making significant interventions to meet the needs and challenges of the Zimbabwean citizens.
Government has been promoting innovations anchored on the newly adopted philosophy of Heritage-Based Education 5.0 at institutions.
The Fair is targeted at building and reinforcing a thriving innovation ecosystem through exhibitions and expos of current work from tertiary institutions, while attracting venture capital, both local and international, in an environment which permits ideas sharing, benchmarking and standardisation of initiatives.
To date, the Ministry has led the construction of Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks at most of the country’s state universities.
The innovations brought about by Education 5.0 have brought solutions to challenges being faced by communities.
The Presidential Innovation Fair is meant to:
- Showcase current innovations and technologies by institutions that have, and will contribute to improving Zimbabwe’s resilience by providing technologies, goods and services that Zimbabwe wants.
- Build an innovation ecosystem that promotes knowledge generation and technology production for economic development.
- Create a platform for engagement among Government, industry, innovators, researchers and development stakeholders. Attract investment in innovation; local and international
Given the ongoing innovation activities at the institutions of higher and tertiary education and the Ministry’s science and technology implementing agencies, it is imperative that recognition be given to institutions leading in the innovation landscape through the awards.
The aims of the Presidential Innovation Awards would be to:
- Encourage high level and quality innovation within the institutions.
- Recognise institutions producing impactful innovations.
- Reward institutions engaged in high level innovation and inculcate and promote an innovation culture within the institution.
The awards will be in the following categories:
(i) The Grand Prize
(ii) The institutions categories prizes being:
- The most innovative university
- The most innovative Teachers’ College
- The most innovative Polytechnic or Industrial Training College
- The most innovative science agency
- Field specific awards
Adjudication
A team of independent judges will be selected to review innovations exhibited at the Presidential Innovation Fair.
The adjudication team will be expected to come up with an adjudication or review matrix.
The Presidential Innovation Awards are expected to boost the innovation system within the country.
Institutions will participate in innovation knowing fully well that the Highest Office in the land supports and encourages them to come up with the best possible solutions to the country’s needs using Heritage Based Education 5.0.
Presidential innovation fair of judges
Adjudication Panel
The adjudication panel will be chaired by an expert in the Innovation, Science and Technology field, preferably a Professor Emeritus recommended by the Honourable Minister and approved by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Other members of the panel would be drawn from experts in the following specialist areas:
- ICT
- Engineering
- Energy
- Life Sciences
- Health
- Agriculture
The awards entries are assessed by a team of expert judges who are selected based on their knowledge, influence and contribution to the improvement of the innovation, science and technology development in Zimbabwe and or abroad and must be to a reasonable degree independent of bias from the contesting institutions.
The judges visit all the contesting institutions and assess the innovation projects scoring entries on a predetermined list of criteria.
These may include impact, design, quality, efficiency, functionality and practicality, value for money, environmental friendliness and innovation.
After the committee has discussed the entries, it reviews and finalises a ranked list of the innovations.
The innovations that scored highly will then exhibit at the Presidential Innovation Fair where winners will be selected.
The panel chair will share the Committee’s recommendations with the Permanent Secretary for final approval.
Online Reporter