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Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
Scientific researchers must provide strategic leadership and direction to promote a science and technology-driven economy to address the country’s pressing problems, a Cabinet Minister says.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri made the call on the sidelines of a one-day Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centre of Excellence in-country project workshop held in the capital on Tuesday this week.
“Scientists must venture into serious research and move away from research that does not offer solutions to our problems,” she said.
“We need to create and instil critical thinking in our people. Scientists must identify the challenges facing the country and help find solutions. Education should be a vehicle for us to think. Why are we poor when we have done well in terms of human capital development?” she asked.
The African Centres of Excellence (ACE II) project, a joint initiative of the African Union and the World Bank, seeks to promote regional collaboration and specialisation among participating universities in areas that address economic growth priorities in the region. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce ACE II project to the country’s higher education sector and support preparation for the institutions to participate in the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence project.
“Through their participation in the ACE II project, our universities will have the opportunity to improve their capacities to deliver quality training and applied research for the benefit of both Zimbabwe and its regional neighbours,” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
The project, the minister said, was in line with tertiary education priorities which sought to promote high standards of education using creative approaches to foster new and existing knowledge, skills, attitudes and resources. “We need to evaluate where we are in our journey to promote human capital development, science and technology,” she said.
“Our ministry should provide linkages between Zimbabwe’s abundant human and natural resources on one side, with imperatives of science and technology and innovation as drivers for development on the other.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri urged scientific researchers to play an active role by placing greater emphasis on research that will help the country’s value addition thrust as well as enhancing its competitiveness in terms of agricultural production and mechanisation.
Speaking at the same event, World Bank programme official Xiaonan Cao urged local universities to come up with research projects that promote the country’s socio-economic development.
“Through this workshop, we hope universities in Zimbabwe will understand what this initiative is all about,” he said.
“This initiative is an outcome of broad consultation with the African Union, government agencies and higher education institutions. The ACE II project wants to help African countries to develop highly skilled personnel to serve specialised needs.”
He hailed Zimbabwe for its commitment and interest in the project, despite having joined it late.
The ACE II project was launched in 2013 benefiting universities in West and Central Africa through specific projects that addressed common regional development challenges.
In West and Central Africa, 19 centres from seven participating countries were selected with an allocation of about $8 million to each centre.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said there was need to promote the uptake of science and mathematics at both primary and high schools to create a critical mass of scientific skills and principles.
Online Reporter