Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) is set to host the Emerging Technologies Symposium on Friday, bringing together experts and enthusiasts from around the country to discuss the latest technological trends in finance, medicine and computer science.
The symposium which will take place at the Nust Ceremonial Hall foyer is being hosted by the Nust Graduate School of Business (GSB), a member of the Association of African Business Schools (AABS).
It will run under the theme “Fostering Collaborations between Academia and Industry for National Development in the 4IR.”
In a statement, Nust Director of Communications and Marketing Mr Thabani Mpofu said the symposium was a significant event as it complements Government efforts in bringing to fruition a digital economy which was one of the components of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“The symposium is an important milestone as it complements Government efforts towards the attainment of the National Development Strategy (NDS1) that identifies digital economy as one of the 14 national priorities for the period 2021 to 2025.
“Nust, a leader in human capital development for industrial and socio-economic transformation, with a bias towards science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) based solutions plays a key role in the country’s technological developments,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said the symposium was expected to strengthen collaborations between academia and industry for national development in the digital era.
Mr Mpofu said the guest speaker will be the chief executive officer (CEO) of Dandemutande Investments Private Limited, Mr Never Ncube who has over 27 years of experience in corporate strategy, governance and secretarial duties.
Among the key sessions of the symposium, he said: “The Fintech session titled ‘How Fintech is revolutionising the banking industry’ is set to be an insightful and engaging discussion. Leading the session as the keynote speaker is Mr Patrick Maseko, the executive head of innovation at ZB Financial Holdings.”
Dr Alfred Mthimukhulu, the executive director at Bard Santner Markets Investors will be moderating the session while the panel will include Mr Nduduzo Tshuma, the head of digital transformation at EcoCash Holdings and Mr Royce Sibanda a senior manager at FBC Bank Bulawayo.
He said on the Medtech Session, Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu, the CEO of CIMAS, will deliver a keynote address on “The Seamless Integration of Technology and the Medical Industry.”
While, the session will be moderated by Mr Wilfred Zvarevashe, a renowned pharmacist and public health specialist currently serving as the Health Risk and Utilisation Manager at PSMAS.
“Joining the panel is Dr Mbongeni Ndlovu, a distinguished physician and the head of medicine department at Nust. Mrs Sharon Chiweshe, the head of client services at New Health 263, will also contribute as a panellist.”
Mr Mpofu said Zimbabwe was making remarkable strides in fostering a thriving ecosystem for quantum computing community and in the quantum computing session Ms Rebecca Chimheno, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Ms Chimheno is an author, a cybersecurity lecturer at Chinhoyi University of Technology, and a thought leader and peer reviewer for ZIMCHE.
The session will be facilitated by Mr Khesani Chilumani, a lecturer at the Nust Department of Computer Science, while the panel will also include Dr Kudakwashe Maguraushe, a lecture in Graduate School of Business and Ms Lorraine Majiri, the current president of One Quantum Africa.
Mr Mpofu said the event would be directed by Mr John Tseriwa, a tech expert, IT Director at PMI Zimbabwe Chapter and the Managing Director of Sagehill Business Solutions.
He said the symposium was more than just a gathering, it was a catalyst for propelling Zimbabwe to the forefront of the global technology scene.
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