Produce Goods And Services : ED Challenges Universities

Zimbabwe’s universities must consolidate modernisation and industrialisation agendas in line with Vision 2030 and use their innovation hubs and industrial parks to produce goods and services that impact on all sectors of the national economy, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

Speaking after Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)’s 14th graduation ceremony held virtually in line with Covid-19 regulations, the President said universities should be nerve centres of the drive to accelerate modernisation and industrialisation through coming up with inventions and solutions to challenges afflicting the country.

Already, GZU is at the forefront. The President commissioned a $10 million textile factory at GZU Industrial Park Complex in the Masvingo Industrial area. This park is also booked for a food preservation factory and a science innovation factory that will include a bottling plant and a sanitiser-manufacturing plant.

GZU’s textile factory has been central in the manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers in the province and face masks for ordinary people in the battle against Covid-19. Herald