Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube in BEIJING, China
The Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM) is set to strengthen its technological infrastructure and expand its collaboration with universities as it seeks to equip senior public officials with skills for a future-ready government.
ZIPAM Director General Dr Nancy Matshe said the institute had drawn important lessons from China, particularly in infrastructure development, technological advancement, innovation, human resources development, research and the development of green and smart cities.
Matshe was speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the Ministerial Seminar for Senior Public Officials from Zimbabwe to China, organised by the Academy of International Business Officials (AIBO).
Dr Matshe said the seminar had provided the Zimbabwean delegation with an opportunity to observe how China was using technology and innovation to enhance public administration and human capital development.
“ZIPAM was created back in 1993 by the Government of Zimbabwe with a strategic intent to develop human capital skills. Today, the Government of Zimbabwe remains focused on skills development and innovation in its human capital, particularly for senior public management.
“One of the key lessons we have learnt from this 12-day seminar is that for ZIPAM to continue and upscale its role in the national development strategy, our infrastructure has to be modernised in order to live up to the required standards,” she said.
Dr Matshe said AIBO’s facilities offered an example of how modern technological infrastructure could transform the delivery of training and professional development.
“The technological infrastructure that we have seen here at AIBO is state-of-the-art. It enables physical learning, virtual learning, innovation, artificial intelligence and the upskilling of senior public officials.
“As we go back home, we need to modernise ZIPAM. We need to equip ZIPAM with the relevant technological infrastructure and work with our Government and universities to research and offer the relevant managerial skills that support digital governance,” she said.
Dr Matshe added that the institute would also focus on strengthening administrative skills required by public officials to respond to the rapidly changing demands of government.
“The public management officials today require skills for a future-ready Government of Zimbabwe, particularly at senior public management level,” she said.
The seminar provided a platform for senior Zimbabwean public officials to exchange experiences and learn from China’s approach to development, with the lessons expected to inform efforts to strengthen public sector capacity and contribute to Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.
