adminConrad Gweru
Whilst capital has been identified by many experts as fundamental, it alone without technical progress cannot boost the rate of economic growth in a country.
Zimbabwe, just like any other African country, continues to be a mass consumer of foreign technologies, a situation that economic planners should bring to an end.
The totality of man’s use and application of his knowledge, skills, tools, and materials constitutes what is today described as “science and technology”, according to an observation in one science journal.
Zimbabwe does not seem to be hungering and thirsting to improve human development through science and technology as the country’s glory still lies in ancient history pinned on the amazing Great Zimbabwe and the tools used during those days together with robust economic development that attracted the Portuguese.
There have been calls by various stakeholders to review the country’s curriculum from the lowest to the highest levels as the current curriculum is more theoretical than practical. What use is it to churn out hundreds of engineers in an economy whose people are more philosophical in their approach and lack the basic ability of inventing, re-inventing and modifying technology to the benefit of their country?
Science and technology based colleges in the country should be leading in advancing technologies that can impact positively on the economy.
Late last year, the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdc) launched Sirdamaize 113, the locally-developed seed maize that is tolerant to most diseases that affect maize crops.
Chinhoyi University of Technology was also reported to have developed solar powered robots following a tender flighted by Chinhoyi Council.
Of significance is Harare Institute of Technology’s Instifoods, InstiTools, companies that fall under the institute where local solutions to challenges faced by industry are put to test.
In the late 80’s China was in what author of Out of the Rabble, Understanding the Global Economic Crisis with Lessons from Zimbabwe Brigadier General (Rtd) David Chiweza would call a rabble but today the country is experiencing economic growth, threatening economies of the Western world. More funding needs to be channelled to science and technology institutions for them to be able to conduct research and put their findings to test.
Deloitte, an international consulting firm, in its 2013 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index, ranked China first in manufacturing in 2013 and projected it would remain so in five years (the United States ranked third in 2013 and was projected to rank fifth in 2018).
A Congressional Research Service report, stated that “China’s competitiveness is bolstered by conducive policy environment either encouraging or directly funding investments in science and technology, employee education and infrastructure development,” and further stated that “the landscape for competitive manufacturing is in the midst of a massive power shift, in which twentieth-century manufacturing stalwarts like the United States, Germany and Japan will be challenged to maintain their competitive edge to emerging nations, including China”.
This level of growth in China is not surprising due to the country’s stance in promoting ‘indigenous innovation’ as tabled in China’s National Medium-and Long-Term Program for Science and Technology Development (2006-2020). The progress of science and technology will contribute 60 percent or above to China’s development. The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology should come up with a clear cut and long term strategy that promotes indigenous innovation in science and technology.
The coming in of Zivo technologies and its failure to survive the harsh economic environment in the past decade is witness enough that the promotion of indigenous innovation in science and technology is still very low.
Daniel Chingoma, a two time innovator of a helicopter, widely known as Zimcopter, never realised his dream of flying one, a first of its kind in that he was never glorified but was laughed at. And authorities even contrived to put him down rather than promote his innovations. Many Chingomas out there will rightly feel discouraged and when this happens ultimately it is Zimbabwe that loses out.
The Tertiary, Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry should create an enabling environment that will foster innovation at colleges, universities and the community.
Online Reporter