Online Reporter
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
ZIMPAPERS has been hailed for taking a firm hand in promoting corporate social responsibility by investing in the future of young learners and strengthening ties with industry.
At the inaugural Careers in Artificial Intelligence Symposium held in Harare yesterday, the company was commended for connecting Zimbabwe’s education ecosystem, from primary schools to universities, and the technology sector to opportunities in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education underscored Zimpapers’ role in ensuring that students are not only exposed to cutting-edge technology, but also guided towards becoming creators and innovators in the global digital economy.
By supporting platforms that bring together learners, educators and corporate leaders, Zimpapers is positioning itself as a critical partner in shaping Zimbabwe’s digital destiny and preparing the next generation for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This was said by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo in a speech read on his behalf by Ms Winfilda Muroka, the Director for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the ministry.
“We commend Zimpapers and EVSEG Consultancy for connecting the entire ecosystem of our nation’s future to this platform. We commend Gateway School for providing the platform for fellow learners to gain exposure into the world of AI. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is fully committed to this partnership. We will support innovative pedagogy and we will champion STEM and AI initiatives at every level,” he said.
The inaugural Careers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Symposium, themed From Classrooms to AI Ecosystems: Shaping Zimbabwe’s Digital Destiny, aimed to bring industry experts to guide students on pathways in AI, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and digital transformation.
Learners from Government, private and independent colleges interacted with industry players to gain knowledge on what is transpiring in the world of AI.
Minister Moyo said the event marked a turning point in aligning schools, universities and industry with the global digital economy. “The objective of this symposium is simple yet monumental: to bridge the gap between our classrooms, our lecture halls, and the global digital economy, ensuring that our youth are not just consumers of technology, but its creators and masters.”
He challenged schools to prioritise digital fluency, computational thinking, and global competitiveness.
Zimbabwean students, Minister Moyo said, should be equipped to design AI solutions for local and global challenges, from predicting droughts to building translation tools for indigenous languages.
“Are we preparing our students for the world of yesterday, or the world of tomorrow?” he asked, urging schools to spark curiosity, universities to provide specialised expertise, and the technology sector to mentor and invest in young talent.
The Minister also urged tech companies to adopt schools, invest in laboratories, and provide mentorship opportunities such as hackathons and internships. Educators were also encouraged to embrace technology as co-learners alongside their students.
The event was supported by platinum sponsor Dandemutande, while TelOne Centre for Learning, University of Zimbabwe, Africa University, IMM Graduate School, POSB and Gateway Christian Teachers’ College exhibited.
