Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in BULAWAYO
The country seems to have struck the right chord when the Government introduced the Heritage-Based Curriculum under Education 5.0, judging by the innovations on display at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
This follows a strong showing by higher and tertiary education institutions at the premier business showcase, where 46 institutions and 11 agencies are exhibiting.
Running under the theme, “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”, this year’s ZITF is focused on economic transformation, with higher and tertiary education institutions showcasing innovations designed to support industrialisation and economic revival.
Their participation and the quality of innovations on display could signal a major shift for the country’s economy.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava said he was impressed by the institutions’ innovations.
“After touring these stands, I am quite impressed with what our institutions have done because their innovations speak to industry needs,” Dr Shava said.
“A lot of research ideas have been converted into innovations and they are ready to be taken up by commerce and industry to be part of daily work in industries and factories.”
Among the innovations on display, Bindura University of Science Education has developed value‑adding solutions for indigenous fruits such as masawu, turning them into products including wine, juice, jam, sweets, medicines and beauty cosmetics.
Midlands State University is showcasing an industrial park producing the Nature Burst juice range, while Chinhoyi University of Technology has exhibited a hub focused on technology transfer, adaptation and commercialisation to support local industries.
Gwanda State University has developed an engineering laboratory to support mining research and mineral beneficiation.
Dr Shava said the dedication shown by universities complements Government priorities under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the country’s economic blueprint running from January 2026 to December 2030.
He said Education 5.0 continues to provide the innovation, skills and industrialisation needed to achieve those goals through its focus on teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation.
“Your efforts are not merely academic exercises; they are tangible contributions to the nation’s progress. Therefore, let us continue developing, incubating, transferring and commercialising technology for Zimbabwe’s rapid industrialisation.
“It will also help us create stronger links between innovation hubs and industrial partners to foster rural industrialisation in line with Vision 2030,” he said. Dr Shava added that there was a need to work hand‑in‑hand with the Ministry of Lands and Rural Industrialisation, as the nation moves towards 2030, whereby the country should have 35 000 village business units.
“These units will need technical expertise and, as Higher and Tertiary Education, we should be ready to provide such in those 35 000 villages… we do not want to lag behind; we will go along with the Government’s speed towards 2030.”
Universities have also been tasked with establishing innovation hubs and industrial parks to promote value addition and beneficiation of local raw materials in line with Government’s zero‑tolerance policy on exporting raw materials.
With mining emerging as a key driver of the country’s economic growth through gold, platinum, chrome and lithium, value addition has become increasingly critical.
“We have 10 State universities and each of them has been tasked to have a laboratory that speaks to the needs of Education 5.0 and NDS2,” said the minister. The laboratory will be servicing certain geographical locations based on their locations… we are committed to working towards attaining that.”
