The Minister of Higher & Tertiary Education, Science & Technology Development (MHTESTD); Hon. Professor Amon Murwira visited the institution on a familiarisation tour on Friday, 9 February 2018. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Higher & Tertiary Education, Dr Desire Sibanda and other delegates from the Ministry.
Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Prof Murwira commenced his speech by giving emphasis on hard work. He said it was the basis for the development of the country. “The country cannot develop by jiggles but through hard-work, which is the founding principle of Ubuntu,” he said.
He added that the dire consequences of not working hard included poverty, interminable begging, lack of freedom and disunity in the country. He urged people to rededicate themselves to the founding values and principles of the nation as espoused in the constitution.
Speaking on universities’ core business, Hon. Prof Murwira reiterated on the need to offer programmes that were relevant to the needs and demands of commerce and industry. He said that knowledge was useless if it was not converted into goods and services. “We want innovation centres that translate research into goods and services. We want to make sure we produce industrial and techno parks.”
He commended Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) for the tremendous effort it was making in terms of research. The institution had been ranked second after the University of Zimbabwe. To stress this point, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eddie Mwenje in his welcome remarks said that the University produced six patents and was expecting to release two in the industry.
Hon. Prof Murwira went on to encourage university Professors to cultivate a culture of dynamism through generating literature for the university. He discouraged the mentality of teaching what one knows instead of teaching what was needed which was also relevant to the demands of the changing society. He said universities had indeed a big role to play as the growth of the nation was centred on knowledge.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister said the government was not excluding students in its quest to transform higher education. He said the ministry had engaged banks to give out educational loans to students. This move was to assist universities do away with the debt burden as well as improve their cash flows.
In his welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof E. Mwenje said that the institution was set to benefit from the minister’s vast knowledge in education, science and national development. He added that the institution was willing to support the ministry’s vision on development and transformation.
After the meeting with members of staff, the minister had the chance to tour other campuses including Mt Darwin Road Campus and the Town Campus, where he saw the Printing Press, lecture hall and the Library. He also saw several projects including Bio-char stoves and moringa chicken feed, among others which were exhibited.
Also present at the occasion was the MHTESTD Principal Director, Mr J. Dehwa; the MHTESTD Deputy Director for Education, Mrs Adriano; BUSE executives; deans, directors and MHTESTD delegates.
