Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT has implored higher and tertiary education institutions to intensify innovation and commercialisation of outputs by translating research into tangible economic value that aligns with national development goals.
Addressing delegates at the 31st Africa University graduation last Saturday, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Dr Frederick Shava urged universities to align with national development goals.
He was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Fanuel Tagwira.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared 2025 as the year of commercialisation. We are now called upon to intensify our efforts to translate research and innovation into tangible economic value. This national directive challenges all higher education institutions to align their outputs with the broader vision of creating a self-sustaining, industrialised, and modern Africa,” said Minister Shava.
Minister Shava said innovation should not remain confined to laboratories or classrooms, but reach the marketplace to improve lives, generate revenue and create jobs.
He commended AU for its readiness to roll out 30 start-ups, a move that aligns with Government’s push for entrepreneurial development.
“We urge Africa University and all institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe to sharpen their focus on the commercialisation of innovation outputs, establishing partnerships with industry, setting up innovation hubs and industrial parks, and mentoring students to become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.
Minister Shava said Government has a broader vision to build a knowledge-driven economy that leaves no one behind.
“With a strong emphasis on innovation, commercialisation, and ethical leadership, Government and this university have set a clear path for graduates, one that demands, not just academic excellence, but commitment to transforming Africa through enterprise and integrity. Our goal is clear, to ensure that our ideas, prototypes, and discoveries become products, services, and enterprises that power Africa’s development,” he said, reminding graduates of their potential to shape the continent’s future.
“Engage the world with confidence, integrity, and purpose. You carry the hopes of your families, communities, and nations. Use your knowledge to solve problems and create a better world,” said Minister Shava.
He said Government’s commitment to inclusive education reaffirms that higher education should not be a privilege, but a right accessible to all.
“Through infrastructure development, digital connectivity, scholarships, and innovation hubs, barriers are being dismantled to empower every Zimbabwean. Education is the foundation of national development, and access to it is not negotiable, it is essential,” he said.
AU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Mageto urged graduates to embrace their roles as leaders and catalysts in a rapidly changing global economy.
“You are headed into a global economy where job markets are tightening, and Artificial Intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities. But remember, you are more than recipients of a degree, you are leaders. Your values, character, and reputation will define your journey,” he said, outlining three critical pillars for the graduates – values, character, and reputation.
“Your values must guide your decisions in life, business, and social justice. Your character, defined by magnanimity and humility is your product, not something to be traded. And your name is your reputation; in a world of ‘fast everything,’ do not lose yourself chasing fleeting gains,” said Professor Mageto.
About 59 percent of the graduates were female, while 41 percent were male, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to gender inclusivity.
A total of 114 international students, and 509 Zimbabweans graduated, further solidifying the university’s continental reach.
