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THE Government will work closely with institutions of higher learning in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset) to ensure the set goals under the economic blue print are achieved, a Cabinet Minister said in Bulawayo yesterday.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, who is on a countrywide tour of institutions of higher learning, said a skilled human resource was the engine behind the success of Zim Asset.
“Polytechnics are historical institutions in the development of skilled human capital that is critical towards achieving the goal of Zim Asset.
“By nature they are supposed to produce people who would immediately go and apply their skills. We will be rolling a programme for polytechnics and it is not going to be business as usual,” said Dr Muchena during her visit to Bulawayo Polytechnic.
She said part of the Zim Asset thrust was to increase access to higher and tertiary education in the next five years through establishing more colleges in needy areas.
“We will identify provinces that need attention and see how they can be assisted. This is a priority under Zim Asset,” said Dr Muchena.
She added: “We will also seek to address issues of unemployment where possible by providing startup capital for entrepreneurs. We want to meet the needs of the labour market and we will pay attention to polytechnics and enhance skills of those at universities.”
At Bulawayo Polytechnic Dr Muchena commissioned a 67 seater bus, two Isuzu pick-up trucks and two Togo vehicles, which the institution bought, using its own funds.
She also had the opportunity to tour some of the practical projects that students were doing including manufacturing of a three in one plough and a piggery machine.
Dr Muchena, who was accompanied by her deputy, Dr Godfrey Gandawa and Permanent Secretary Dr Washington Mbizvo, also visited the United College of Education where she was apprised of the challenges facing the institution as well as successes recorded.
She also commissioned a 71-seater bus and toured the college premises.
Dr Muchena urged students to embrace the ongoing empowerment programme, which seeks to create a sustainable economic base and employment opportunities.
She said she was visiting the institution to get an appreciation of their needs in order to come up with mechanisms of helping them.
“This is familiarisation programme where I listen in order to see how we can address the raised issues. We will be going to Lupane State University tomorrow (today),” she said.
Dr Mbizvo said Zimbabwe was the envy of Africa due to its sound policies on education development and commended colleges for being resourceful by being able to source funds to finance their projects without relying on the Government.
Online Reporter