Unesco donates to Harare Polytechnic

from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
It is expected that the equipment will assist the institution in its plans to introduce an internal full-time Bachelor of Technology degree in mass communication.
Currently, the polytechnic’s Division of Mass Communication offers a similar degree programme in conjunction with the National University of Science and Technology.
Speaking during the handover of the equipment, Unesco director Professor Luc Rukingama said the polytechnic’s Mass Communication Department was playing a critical role in promoting Unesco’s priority areas.
“The Division of Mass Communication is making strides to contribute towards the realisation of the noble goal of building robust information/knowledge societies which will help in the humanisation of the process of globalisation,” he said.
Prof Rukingama added that the donation will enable the department to overcome challenges that relate to technological obsolescence:
“This equipment should see our journalists becoming more outgoing, innovative, and indeed more knowledgeable about the requirements of their job and the sensitivities of the society in which they operate.”
The equipment includes 15 outdoor wired radio speakers, five light printers, one heavy-duty printer, five laptops, one iMac computer, two zoom hand recorders, two HVR cameras, a studio microphone, a digital photo printer and five studio headphones.
Harare Polytechnic principal Engineer Stephen Raza said the institution was working to strengthen its ties with Unesco, and its role in training within the region.
“We are in the process of establishing a regional nodal centre where Unesco-Unevoc activities can be co-ordinated from. “Our capacity to manage regional affairs is unparalleled as we have developed a Faculty of Information Science and Communication Technologies comprising mass communication, ICT, printing and library and information services.
“This faculty will give our institution a competitive edge as we make an indelible mark on the global knowledge economy,” he said.
Unevoc is the Unesco International Project on Technical and Vocational Education.
Eng Raza also hinted that plans were underway for the two institutions to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that should see greater co-operation between them.