CHINHOYI — Acting Higher and Tertiary Education minister Ignatius Chombo has taken aim at universities for offering degree programmes that do not proffer solutions to the country’s macro-economic and social problems. Report by Own Correspondent
Addressing guests at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)’s 10th anniversary celebrations where he was guest of honour on Wednesday, Chombo said: “There is need to identify knowledge and skills gaps in industry and commerce and also in communities in order to come up with relevant, development-oriented programmes appropriate in addressing the challenges we face today.”
Chombo said most degrees offered at various tertiary institutions in the country were only different in titles, but in essence the same, particularly those in the business faculties whose flagship is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) .
“Business faculties in our universities are intoxicated with MBAs. Is that what the country wants? A careful analysis of degree programmes in our universities reflects massive duplication of programmes.
“If we flood the market with business managers, are we sure that’s what will drive the country forward?” Chombo, who is also Local Government minister said.
He underscored the need to refocus energies on developing graduates who steer economic production, create wealth and drive entrepreneurship.
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Speaking at the same event, CUT council chairman Robson Mafoti paid tribute to CUT vice-chancellor David Simbi and his team of “intellectual cadres” for their resilience and loyalty to the institution in the face of hardships faced during the formative years of the institution, a former technical-teacher training college.
The anniversary celebrations were held under the theme “Celebrating 10 Years of Academic Excellence”.