ZIMBABWE must transform innovative ideas into industries anchored on an education-led economy that will move away from employment seekers, as the country celebrates its Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, President Mnangagwa has said.
Effort, he said, was needed in innovation that resulted in commercialisation of products and services to improve people’s lives, in line with the Second Republic’s policy that Zimbabwe is developed by its own people.
The President made the remarks in his keynote address at the Presidential Innovation Fair and Awards ceremony yesterday facilitated by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
“As we look back at the milestones in the education sector since the adoption of the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 Model, under the Second Republic, particularly in institutions of higher learning, our nation has every reason to be proud,” he said.
“Universities and tertiary institutions continue to transform graduates from being mere employment seekers, to individuals with skills to produce goods and products that meet the needs of our economy, while becoming employment creators.
“The work of nation-building requires imagination and the will to act. Let us convert ideas into companies, prototypes into exports, and a wider range of products and services that benefit the majority of the people.”
President Mnangagwa said the strides being made by innovators deserved recognition, support and celebration and so he launched the Annual Presidential Innovation Awards three years ago.
“I hope events such as this one will also serve to motivate winners and many others, to go farther, break new ground and inspire the next generations of innovators, researchers and inventors.
“At present, beneficiaries of these awards are drawn from universities, tertiary institutions, students, Government agencies, the private sector and individuals.
“Going into the future, we must cast our net wider and recognise more categories,” said President Mnangagwa.
He reiterated his previous directive that patents and prototypes being produced by innovators must be commercialised.
All Government-funded innovations should be subject to systematic tracking and monitoring and the nation must be more aggressive to guarantee that prototypes move to pilot, and pilot products transition to the market, he said.
“Commercialisation will not happen by accident. I urge you all, within this innovation, research, scientific and technological ecosystem, to be more proactive,” said President Mnangagwa.
Other entities in the manufacturing sector, creative cultural industry as well as small and medium enterprises, were encouraged to register their patents to protect the “proudly Zimbabwean” brands, products and intellectual property. The President said ministries, departments and agencies, responsible for matters related to intellectual property rights must facilitate and guide in the filing, registration and protection of property rights.
Zimbabwe, just like the rest of the world, had entered the digital world of artificial intelligence, which President Mnangagwa said is central in scaling up the positive impact of technologies.
“On its part, my Government recognises that it is only through the requisite and increased investments in new technologies, science and innovation that Zimbabwe can accelerate the ongoing transformation towards Vision 2030.
“I challenge our education sector to build on the efforts of the Second Republic, under my leadership. These have seen our institutions being resourced, in terms of human capital, infrastructure, material and equipment, to drive this new thrust.
“Educators at every level, should be innovative and intentionally adapt to the new knowledge and skills associated with cutting edge science and technological developments,” he said.
The President directed institutions of higher learning, including those privately owned, to scale up their role in the transfer of knowledge and skills to the productive sectors.
Technology development, adaptation and transfer, business support, consultancy and continuous education, for industry stakeholders, should be keenly pursued as the nation re-tools, upgrades and upskills the national workforce.
Those in education, including the private sector, were encouraged to deepen collaboration to build a successful innovation ecosystem.
The President said this should remain anchored on sustainable mentorship programmes, co-funding arrangements and the support for award-winning prototypes into viable start-ups, industries and services exports.
“Our country must expand such models, so that our graduates leave our institutions not only with knowledge, but with market-ready products and viable businesses,” he said.
There was need to deal with the challenge of skills retention proactively through supporting innovators, given that they are globally competitive.
“Beyond Government, more of our citizens and the private sector stakeholders are exhorted to play their part towards supporting this ongoing research, innovation and development agenda. Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” he said.
Yesterday, President Mnangagwa commended those that won awards saying their victory is a national gain.
“Accept this honour with humility and the weighty responsibility that is upon you, as trailblazers in your areas of interest and study.
“Use these awards and prizes, therefore, to support your prototypes or to register intellectual property, where needed, so that you meet the regulatory requirements necessary to enter local, regional and international markets,” said President Mnangagwa.
The event was attended by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Cabinet ministers, academics from local universities, and captains of industry, among others. – Herald
