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Columbus Mabika and Rejoice Makoni
Research and development have the potential to propel the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the security sector in general and the nation at large to greater heights as the country moves towards achieving an upper niddle-income economy by 2030.
Consequently, the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU) has now taken the lead in all the ZDF research and development, providing the formal structure.
The ZNDU has also adopted the concept of Education 5.0 introduced by the Second Republic which directs universities and academic institutions to build synergies with industry and other research institutes and take the lead in innovation and the industrialisation of the ZDF and the nation at large.
Making a presentation during an applied research seminar at ZNDU yesterday, Commander ZDF General Philip Sibanda said research and development was the centre of progress for any nation or community, calling on the security sector to take a lead.
“We all know that a country which is able to produce its own consumer goods is more difficult to destabilise than one which relies heavily on imports. Production of own products in adequate quantities, quality and at reasonable cost is a goal which many countries aspire for.
“This can be achieved through brown or green innovation, but no matter the method used, research and development is at the centre of this progress, making it the heart of any defence and national security architecture,” he said.
“It is therefore desirable that the ZDF and sister security organisations acquire skills and knowledge on research in general, but applied research in particular, for it is what transforms ideas into practical solutions. The researchers should understand how to plan and conduct applied research, be able to disseminate research results and also proffer solutions to identified problems or gaps in our organisations and the nation at large.”
General Sibanda said it was desirable that the ZDF and security establishments acquire skills and knowledge on research in general and applied research for it transforms ideas into practical solutions.
The ZDF was concerned with national defence and security as enshrined in the constitution, hence advocacy for a national strategic research framework as a way through which research with national focus should be channelled.
A national strategic research institute, he said should spearhead all research with a high impact on national defence and security and citizenry’s wellbeing.
Ramping up defence and security establishments in research, Gen Sibanda said enabled technological advancement in developed countries is full of single or dual use of products developed by defence compnais and research through collaboration with academia and industry.
Research and development are not a new phenomenon in the ZDF, as in the past, the ZDF developed mine detecting vehicles through a partnership with the private sector, while a number of products were also developed but suffered from inadequate funding and lack of focus.
Research Council of Zimbabwe acting executive director Dr Timothy Marango said Zimbabwe needed to do more scientific and technical research as this is vital for national growth and the nation could not rely on importing skills.
Investing in research and development was key for African nations in eradicating the dependency syndrome.
“Research is crucial for sustainable development of any nation or organisation. Countries and organisations which neglect research today do so at a big cost to the welfare of the future. This is because they remain reliant on other countries and organisations without the intellectual development of their own human capital and products base,” he said.
SIRDC chief executive Professor Robson Mafoti concurred saying research by the defence establishement has propelled many countries to prosperity.
“The military has led to development of many nations trough research and development at their institutions. Under many collaborations armies will cooperate and collaborate by conducting joint research and development in many areas to achieve and fulfil agreed goals and objectives as spelt in the national agenda,” he said.
Prof Mafoti said the agreement between his entity and the ZDF is an opportunity for the two organisations to pool resources and engage in strategic research for the development that solve problems Zimbabwe is facing.
“Our joint research will be focused on resolving the challenges facing our nation and also contributing to the national blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1, leading to the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.
Online Reporter