THE Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdc) will allocate 80 hectares of its land for construction of the Pan African Minerals University of Science and Technology (Pamust).
BY VENERANDA LANGA
This was disclosed by Higher Education deputy minister Godfrey Gandawa in Parliament last week when he outlined the objectives of forming the new university to MPs during the Second Reading Stage of the Pan African Minerals University of Science and Technology Bill.
“Sirdc will allocate to Pamust about 80 hectares of its land that is not earmarked for construction, and when necessary, more land for Pamust will be allocated from State land that is contagious to Sirdc,” Gandawa said.
“Sirdc has analytical and testing equipment which Pamust can use initially and the Institute of Mining Research at the University of Zimbabwe also has some equipment which Pamust will use, and residential accommodation for lecturing staff, students and visiting professors will be built on Sirdc land.”
Gandawa said the minerals university will focus on studies such as extractive metallurgy, materials science and engineering, minerals business studies, geosciences and mining engineering, and will assist Zimbabwe in the area of value addition of its mineral resources.
“The university will contribute immensely in the transformation of Zimbabwe from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy as a result of minerals value addition, value added products, downstream industries, business opportunities, employment creation, skills enhancement and technology transfer,” Gandawa said.
Zimbabwe is said to have a vibrant mining sector with over 60 minerals, 40 of which were being mined.
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Last week, members of the public had a chance to contribute their views on the Pan African Minerals University of Science and Technology Bill when the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy conducted public hearings at different parts of the country.
The committee will then table a report in the National Assembly on the Bill when Parliament resumes sitting in June.
