by Rudo Saungweme.

Cabinet approved the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill 2019, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, yesterday at a third meeting decision matrix.

Minister Ziyambi said, “Through the Bill, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill, 2019 seeks to promote the national vision for Zimbabwe to become an upper middle income economy by 2030.”

The Bill also seeks to ensure that Zimbabwe`s education, innovation, research and development is translated into industry that provides jobs and opportunities through the exploitation of natural resources.

“The Bill establishes the administrative framework for the promotion of the innovation and industrialisation agenda.

The Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development will be the apex of coordination for the country`s premier institutions, hosting experts in specialist areas for given tasks and allowing them to return to their original work stations upon completion of assignments,” he said.

Minister Ziyambi reiterated that, “the new law will apply to public and private industry and all institutions of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe, encompassing universities, teachers, polytechnic and industrial training colleges, vocational training centres, and institutions that undertake research and innovation.  The  Centre will also incorporate a rural outreach bias in its set up.”

Before the introduction of the Innovation and Research Education by the New Dispensation, Zimbabwe had Education 3.0 which consisted of only teaching, research and community service as the main components. The new model of education which is Education 5.0 is characterised by innovation and high end or cutting edge industrial advancement.