Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Reporter
THE Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Simelisizwe Sibanda has challenged universities to move beyond producing academic publications and instead focus on generating practical solutions that drive industrialisation, create industries and transform communities.
Speaking at the official opening of the Sixth Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) International Research Conference last week, held as part of the institution’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, Deputy Minister Sibanda said institutions of higher and tertiary education must increasingly be judged by their impact on society and the economy rather than the volume of research papers they produce.
The conference is being held under the theme, “The Technology–Enterprise Nexus: Partnering for Innovation, Rural Industrialisation and Community Impact.”
“Research institutions must no longer be judged solely by the number of academic publications they produce. Rather, they must increasingly be measured by the solutions they generate, the industries they create, the communities they transform and the livelihoods they improve,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.
He said universities should continue evolving from centres of knowledge generation into engines of innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial development in line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
Deputy Minister Sibanda said the Second Republic, under President Mnangagwa, had placed science, technology and innovation at the centre of national development through the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which integrates teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation.
He commended CUT for embracing the Government’s vision through initiatives such as its Innovation Hub, Agro-Industrial Park and various Strategic Business Units, which provide students with practical learning opportunities while contributing to economic development.
“CUT has become synonymous with practical innovation. Its Innovation Hub continues to nurture ideas into commercially viable products and services, while its Agro-Industrial Park demonstrates how research can strengthen food security, value addition and agro-processing,” he said.
Deputy Minister Sibanda said universities have a critical role to play in advancing rural industrialisation through research that addresses challenges in agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, water resources, information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence and climate resilience.
“Research must not remain confined to laboratories and conference proceedings. It must find expression in factories, farms, clinics, schools, industries and communities where citizens experience tangible improvements in their quality of life,” he said.
He urged researchers to pursue collaborative and multidisciplinary research that responds directly to Africa’s developmental priorities while contributing to global scientific advancement.
“The dynamics confronting humanity today, including climate change, food insecurity, public health threats, unemployment, digital transformation and sustainable energy transitions, cannot be meaningfully addressed by isolated institutions or nations working independently. They require multidisciplinary collaboration, cross-border partnerships and shared knowledge,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.
Addressing students, the Deputy Minister challenged them to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship instead of waiting to be employed.
“Be innovators rather than imitators. Be creators of industries rather than passive seekers of employment. Become solution providers capable of addressing the complex challenges facing our communities,” he said.
Deputy Minister Sibanda reaffirmed Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for research excellence, technology transfer, intellectual property development and university-industry collaboration.
He called on industry and development partners to deepen partnerships with universities, saying stronger collaboration between academia, industry and Government remains essential for innovation-led economic transformation and the attainment of Vision 2030.
The conference has brought together researchers, academics, industry leaders and policymakers from Zimbabwe and beyond to explore how technology, research and enterprise can be harnessed to accelerate innovation, rural industrialisation and sustainable community development.
