The ManicaPost
Tirivanhu Kateera
Correspondent
FOR decades, tertiary institutions have been criticised by some for producing half-baked graduates who in most cases were unable to contribute meaningfully to economic development.
If anything, most of these graduates were being absorbed into various sectors of the economy as workers or labourers who could not invent or improve any industrial processes, a situation bemoaned by many progressive forces including Government.
It is against this background that in 2019, the New Dispensation moved in to correct the anomaly which had almost became a norm by strategically launching Education 5.0 (E5.0).
E5.0 is destined to transform the nation’s higher and tertiary education sector to not only: teach, research and serve the community, but innovate and industrialise Zimbabwe.
The scope of E5.0 is that State universities and other tertiary institutions launch into outcomes-focused national development activities towards a competitive, modern and industrialised Zimbabwe.
It is now all about problem-solving for value and employment creation which must also see the country exporting, earning the much-needed foreign currency.
In other words, E5.0 compels tertiary institutions to produce wealth creators, not job seekers.
This also augurs well with African Union’s Agenda 2063 which among other deliverables endeavours to industrialise Africa.
E5.0 declares that Zimbabwe’s modernisation and industrialisation must be anchored and propelled by institutions of higher learning in line with the country’s urgent national ambition to attain middle income status by year 2030.
Beyond any reasonable doubt, tertiary institutions are at the vantage position to better grip and decrypt the threatening disruptive technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced robotics and the automation of knowledge work that continue to dramatically reshape the global business and social landscape.
Education 5.0 is now a reality having been adopted by most tertiary institution in the country that include, but not limited to Midlands State University (MSU), University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Lupane State University and Chinhoyi University of Science and Technology (CUT).
One of the major milestones set to transform road construction in the country is a recent revelation by the MSU that it has plans to set up a modified coal tar manufacturing venture in Zvishavane.
The venture is expected to create over 2 000 direct jobs and save 40 percent of the money used to import bitumen from South Africa for road construction and other purposes.
Other downstream industries in Zvishavane and beyond will also benefit through the supply of stationery, spare parts and other key accessories.
This is an epitome of problem solving which the New Dispensation is preaching about and expecting from tertiary institutions.
The innovation deserves a compliment from all progressive forces within and outside the country.
Be that as it may, “dark forces” are hurt, but this and illegal sanctions won’t stop the country’s progression.
This new tar plant also ensures that the cost of road construction in the country goes down, giving the country to surface more roads leading to massive economic development.
Since roads are a key economic enabler, attaining Vision 2030 will become a reality during our life time and within the set time-frame.
The reduction on the importation of bitumen will also go a long way in cutting the country’s import bill, saving foreign currency for other critical sectors and infrastructure projects.
Apart from tar, MSU also has an industrial park that comprises of a chemical manufacturing unit and a garment factory which manufactures personal protective equipment and industrial protective equipment.
Like other tertiary institutions, MSU is producing 10 000 litres of sanitisers per day and has an order of 288 000 masks from the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm).
Gone are the days when the country used to import.
The New Dispensation’s focus is to ensure that whatever the country requires is produced locally.
Tertiary institutions provide the think tanks that drive economic development in Zimbabwe.
Apart from MSU, CUT has solid plans to generate US$140 million per annum from the successful artificial insemination technology that has the capacity to produce seven million pedigree bull semen straws annually.
The project was launched in 2019.
The artificial insemination project profits the country in many ways.
It compliments the Command Livestock Programme, improves the quantity and quality of the country’s national herd and helps in the revival of companies such as Cold Storage Company and other downstream industries like leather industry.
With similar efforts from other institutions of higher learning, E5.0 is on course to propel the country to Vision 2030.
