The Day when Kwekwe Polytechnic struck many birds with one stone

Posted by IT Admin on 2025-03-21 08:17:53 |

On the 19th of March 2025, at Dawn, the Kwekwe Polytechnic new TATA Bus left for Harare. The occupants were to fulfil 4 different missions. The Manager Innovations & Business Development, Mr Matema, Ms Museva, Ms Goboza and Mr Shora were headed for the Morgan ZINTEC College International Research Symposium held at ZESA National Training Centre. It ran under the theme, “Navigating Corporate Governance in Educational Institutions: Creating a More Equitable and Sustainable Educational Landscape”. At the same venue, the ZESA National Training Centre, The Head of Division Applied Sciences, Mrs Mujere was attending a COLAZ-organised capacity building event under the banner “Female Lecturer empowerment workshop”. A stone throw away, at the Harare International Conference Centre, something big was also taking place. An all-female high powered delegation comprising of the Vice Principal responsible for Administration & Finance, Eng C. Moyo, Director Teaching and Research, Mrs Marandure, Assistant Manager Innovations, Ms Mupete and lecturers in the persons of Mrs Kupara, Ms Muvezwa, Mrs Munhuwakare, Ms Machipamba, Ms Tshuma, Mrs Ncube and Ms Chiborise were attending the 2025 Edition of the Women in Science Technology, and Innovation (WISTI) Conference. The conference, hosted by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development presented a powerful platform aimed at empowering women in Science and Technology Fields to leverage their expertise and Innovation Capabilities to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. It promoted collaboration among women, the academia, industry, policy makers and inspired the younger generation, particularly women and the girl child to pursue careers in STEM fields. The conference was officially opened by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development, Hon. Amb. Dr. F. M. Shava. In his address, he reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fostering inclusiveness and eliminating barriers hindering women's participation in STEM and leadership. Hon. Dr. Shava noted that women must not be left behind in research and innovation and called for the provision of adequate resources to support their growth in these fields. He acknowledged the existing gender disparities and underscored the need for platforms that bridge this gap. Since women constitute a greater portion of the population, ensuring their equal representation in science, technology, and innovation is critical for national development. The Minister further stressed that institutions must collaborate to promote women’s participation in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Biotechnology. Our team rubbed shoulders with some household names in entrepreneurship, the likes of Sicelo Dube and Divine Ndlukula. Apparently, March is the month of celebrating women. At Kwekwe Polytechnic we say “simuka mudzimai, simuka mwanasikana”. On the side-lines of this event, and at the same venue, the HICC, Ms Mbirimi, being an alumni of ITEC, India, attended an event hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of India to Zimbabwe, H.E Mr Bramha Kumar. This event marked one of the many areas of Mutual Corporation between India and Zimbabwe. Back at the Morgan ZINTEC College Symposium, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Innovation Science and Technology Development, Prof F. Tagwira officially opened the event. In his remarks, The Perm Sec underscored good corporate Governance, transparency, accountability and high ethical standards in our institutions, in line with the theme of the symposium. Apparently ZACC officials were also in attendance and they had made a key note address emphasising on “integrity” as an effective tool in fighting corruption. With regards to research, Prof Tagwira said the Ministry has a budget to take care of publications so as to preserve our research for future generations and institutions need to explore how to tap into this fund. The CEO of TESC, Eng Mudondo gave the vote of thanks. Thus, that is how on this day, Kwekwe Polytechnic struck many birds, with just a single stone missile.

By

Bruno Shora