Staff Reporter
Government was improving the quality of education in the country and was implementing bold programmes of national economic reconstruction and social transformation to create national wealth and lift millions into prosperity.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Midlands State University (MSU) Pathology Research and Diagnostic Centre, official opening of the National Language Institute and Food Processing Plant in Gweru yesterday, President Mnangagwa said that massive developments taking place at various higher learning institutions are assurances that Vision 2030 was achievable.
“As a result of initiatives witnessed here at MSU and many others throughout the country, I am strongly persuaded that by 2030, Zimbabwe would have achieved successes and realised landmark innovations and knowledge driven economy,” said the President.
The President said that the development of societies was hinged on the quality of education offered by its higher learning institutions and the Second Republic was in the process of revamping the education sector in order to improve the quality of people’s lives.
“The development of any society is often associated with the quality of its higher education. In this regard, universities, polytechnics and technological institutions, now have a more pronounced relevance to the competitiveness of our economy as well as to the improvement in the quality of life of any people. This is more so given the interrelated nature of education, human capital, economic growth and the welfare of humanity,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Head of State added that gone were the days when institutions of higher learning merely churned out graduates who apply for jobs upon completion of their academic studies instead of being innovative.
The President said that he expected the facilities he had toured at MSU to act as catalysts for sustainable socio economic development, job creation and the production of more “Made in Zimbabwe” goods and services. He further called on the university to leverage on the Language Development Laboratories and produce an assortment of reading materials, especially in braille, as well as other assistive devices such as hearing aids.
President Mnangagwa added that the MSU’s Pharmaceutical and Food Processing Plant would be of great use as it will assist in the growth and value addition of fruits, vegetables and other horticultural produce.
The President challenged all universities to compete against each other in innovation, adding that the government was ready to support innovations with resources required.
