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Prince Mukuna Herald Reporter
Infrastructure at institutions of higher learning require modernisation to cater for the needs of a 21st Century student, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira has said.
The blueprint to be used in revamping universities and colleges has an innovation hub, residential suburb, industrial parks and other proposed state of the art facilities synonymous with global university towns.
Speaking during the commissioning of University of Zimbabwe Council, Minister Murwira said the ministry was upping its ambition to ensure better living standards for university students.
“The physical infrastructure at our universities are not adequate,” he said.
“As Government we should drop the tradition of thinking that we have to build all buildings at State university, we will not be able to complete them.
“Using that simple logic, we are saying let us open the infrastructure and development at higher and tertiary institutions to private investments. If there is a company that can build good hostels, let them be.
“Our physical infrastructure has to be tip-top with a master plan. We are designing our universities now the way we have designed Marondera and Manicaland in such a way that they have innovation hub, residential suburb, agro-processing and industrial park.”
Minister Murwira said students were struggling with accommodation at universities, with others living in regrettable conditions.
“We are very happy that Liquid Telecom has so far connected network to 10 State universities as part of their corporate social responsibility in what we call edge zones in which we had an agreement on that and they have done very well,” he said.
“It cannot be a master plan of classrooms and lecture rooms, that is basic infrastructure.
“We want to level up our ambition whereby the council must propose standard master plans for the universities.”
The University of Zimbabwe council is chaired by Dr Anxious Masuka, deputised by Mrs Susan Muzite.
Committee members are Dr Solomon Guramutunhu, Dr Agnes Mahomva, Dr Ephraime Havazvidi, Colonel Lucky Bangidza, Engineer Hosiah Chisango, Engineer Vimbainashe Mhuta, Messrs Wellington Makamure, Elisha Moyo, Onesimo Mukumba, and Douglas Hoto.
Others are Mses Miriam Mukorombindo, Nyaradzo Mudzana, Mutsa Chasi, Faith Chinogurei, Rumbidzai Mlambo, Grace Muradzikwa, Cynthia Mugwira, Getrude Bvindi and Tracey Mutaviri.
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