ZOU to host inaugural International Research Conference

The conference will be running under the theme “Knowledge frontiers for sustainable growth and development” is expected to attract at least 300 participants from the region and internationally.
In an interview with Herald Business, ZOU Vice Chancellor Dr Primrose Kurasha said the conference is mainly focused on creating partners, encouraging networking and finding solutions to the existing economic and social problems.
“The conference is going to explore the opportunities, innovations, expertise and challenges for sustainable growth and development in line with Millennium Development Goals 1, 7 and 8.
“This will also provide a platform for Zimbabwe to deal and present a paper on the issue of the MDGs to show that as a country we can handle it,” she said.
Dr Kurasha added that the conference will touch on the creation of knowledge in the universities that is sustained and developed into substantive information to create a culture of research for the benefit of the young generation.
She said the potential for human capital development to transform the productive capacities of developing nations in particular should not be over-emphasised.
The expansion of knowledge frontiers which is part of human capital is key to the realisation of sustainable growth and development hence the theme.
The conference will be accompanied by an exhibition by various stakeholders from a range of sectors interested in knowledge creation, commercialisation and innovation.
According to the organisers, there will be 10 exhibitors from the information and communication technology, manufacturing, banking and other sectors who will exhibit at the event.
The event will offer a platform for sessions and best practice demonstrations that cover all aspects of research in Zimbabwe and beyond.
A total of 58 presenters are expected to present papers on the six sub-themes of this conference: emerging technologies, indigenous knowledge systems, open and distance learning and graduate employment, transformational leadership, entrepreneurship and community engagement and intellectual property and heritage.
The keynote speakers include Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education chief executive Professor Peter Dzvimbo, Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences secretary-general Dr Gilford Hapanyengwe, Africom chief executive Mr Kwanayi Kashangura and African Council for Distance Education executive director Professor Fred Barasa.