Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe will host a significant Public Lecture at the University of Zimbabwe, marking a pivotal moment as the nation prepares to assume the Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
This event, which serves as a precursor to the arrival of SADC's Heads of State, will feature a keynote address by President Mnangagwa.
The lecture is centred around the theme, "Building Research Capacity and Innovation Ecosystems for a Sustainable Industrialised SADC Economy," aligning with the broader agenda of the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit: "Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC."
In a statement yesterday, SADC Secretariat highlighted that this Public Lecture will lay the foundation for developing a regional framework focused on enhancing research capacity and fostering innovation ecosystems across all levels of education.
"The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will host a Public Lecture at the Diamond Lecture Theatre of the University of Zimbabwe on 15th August 2024. This event, organized by the University of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, will feature His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, and the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, as the keynote speaker. He will be joined by General (Rtd) Dr. Constantino D. G. N. Chiwenga, the Vice President of Zimbabwe, alongside ministers from SADC Member States, and Mr. Elias M. Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC," the statement reads.
The SADC Secretariat further outlined the specific goals of the 2024 SADC Summit Public Lecture which includes, "To demonstrate the significance of research and innovation in transforming SADC into an industrialized region; to identify strategies to enhance research and innovation capacity in SADC schools, colleges, vocational training centres, and universities; and to unpack the ecosystems of research and innovation that drive industrialization for sustained economic and social development."
The lecture will not only include the President's address but will also feature a high-level panel discussion with policymakers and academic leaders from across the SADC member states.
The objective of this Public Lecture is to establish a robust foundation for the SADC framework, which aims to build research capacity and innovation ecosystems at every educational level—from primary schools to higher education institutions.
This initiative is crucial for achieving an industrialized and sustainable SADC economy, driven by knowledge, science, technology, and innovation in response to global market demands and local livelihoods
Participants will also have the chance to explore exhibitions at the University of Zimbabwe's Innovation Hub and the National Transtech Solutions Centre.
Tomorrow, the Heads of State from the regional bloc are expected to arrive in Zimbabwe, with the 44th SADC Summit set to commence on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry will tonight host the SADC Tourism Night at the Museum of African Liberation: Heritage Cultural Village.
