Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe will host a three-day Zimbabwe International Research Symposium next week in Harare, bringing together local, regional and international researchers to promote innovation, collaboration and the commercialisation of research.
The biennial event, organised by the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ), comes after the amendment of the Research Act.
The symposium is expected to attract policymakers, academics, researchers and development partners from across the region, with participants already confirming attendance from South Africa, Zambia, the Science Granting Councils Initiative and the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI).
Speaking ahead of the event, RCZ executive director Dr Partson Chikudza said the symposium will provide a platform for researchers and policymakers to exchange ideas while driving research that delivers tangible socio-economic benefits.
“This is a very important event which is held every two years. The previous one was held in October 2024 and this one is coming on the heels of the amended Research Act,” he said.
“We are honoured that His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa will be the Guest of Honour on June 19.”
Dr Chikudza said the symposium will feature research exhibitions, presentations and awards recognising outstanding researchers, while ESAMI Director-General will attend as the international guest speaker.
He said the gathering had already attracted regional and international interest, reflecting growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s research and innovation agenda.
“We have already received acknowledgements from our colleagues in South Africa, Zambia, those within the Science Granting Councils Initiative, as well as the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute,” he said.
“We are also going to have awards for researchers and this is going to be a great event for us.”
Dr Chikudza said the council was determined to ensure research translates into practical solutions that create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
“Research without impact is just like making noise. We want to showcase research products not just end at prototypes but also to energise our researchers to commercialise research for the generation of employment and also goods and services,” he said.
He said the symposium remained a critical national platform for strengthening collaboration between researchers, academia, policymakers and the Government.
“This event is very important for the nation and, going forward, we will continue ensuring that researchers, academia, policymakers and Government meet and exchange views,” said Dr Chikudza.
“We are also going to have a number of research projects showcased and to us, this is very important.”
