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Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
ZIMBABWE and Russia are set to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on education development to provide training for practicing teachers through a Russian university.
The training will be conducted online with a physical component.
Some 25 teachers will be offered travel to Russia to be trained on artificial intelligence (AI) for them to, among other aspects, be able to implement heritage-based Education 5.0.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, and the Russian delegation led by Perm State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University of Russia Rector and head of department for International Affairs, Mr Egorov Konstantin, attended the preliminary meetings.
Besides the online training and the visit by the 25 teachers, the university will contribute to digital transformation in the education sector through exploring ways to incorporate ICTs into teachers’ lesson plans.
This includes courses on AI and for learners with special needs. Already, 10 laptops have been donated by the university as a gesture towards its intent to provide digital tools.
The co-operation also proposes a twinning of higher and tertiary education institutions with the Perm State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University of Russia, following a visit to Highfield High 2 in Harare, which is providing technical and vocational training.
The relationship will yield scholarships for students to study nuclear power and energy as Zimbabwe intends to explore alternative forms of energy generation.
Speaking during the meeting, Minister Moyo said support from Russia was tangible, demonstrating a commitment to empowering Zimbabwean learners with the tools and skills needed to navigate the 21st century digital landscape, while also maintaining a strong connection to local cultural heritage.
“Building on this initial donation, we are excited to explore opportunities for collaboration that could strengthen our digital infrastructure and support the seamless integration of information and communication technologies into teaching and learning,” Minister Moyo said.
Mr Konstantin proposed to include in the MoU an opportunity for some learners to study agricultural programmes and Russian as a foreign language using quotas provided by the Federation government.
The Russian language experts will, in turn, teach Zimbabweans at a locally established centre.
The MoU also proposes international competitions for children in scientific and technical ideas and development.
With experience in organising such international competitions, the university proposed to organise competitions where learners will solve scientific cases, task and case projects.
“Of course cultural exchanges, learner exchanges, teacher and staff exchanges will be set out in the MoU. And probably, we will have opportunities to create and open a class for lessons on technology in the school in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Konstantin.
Relations between Zimbabwe and Russia date back to the days of the liberation struggle.
Online Reporter