Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development minister Frederick Shava has called on tertiary institutions to urgently accelerate commercialisation of innovations and strengthen their role in driving industrialisation, adding that ideas must translate to tangible economic value.
Speaking during a tour of tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe’s second largest city recently, Shava said institutions must move beyond teaching and research to become production hubs aligned with national development priorities.
Shava visited United College of Education, Bulawayo Polytechnic and Hillside Teachers College last week.
“At United College of Education, I am particularly impressed by the college’s clear vision of becoming a heritage-based centre of excellence that produces innovative teachers for a science and technology-driven economy,” he said.
Shava, however, expressed concern over the slow pace of translating ideas into income-generating projects.
“It is noted that no projects were commercialised in 2025. While plans are in place for 2026, this gap must be urgently addressed,” he said.
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Shava said higher and tertiary institutions should play a direct role in wealth creation.
“Institutions of higher and tertiary education must move beyond knowledge generation to wealth creation,” he said. “The projects identified… must not remain at conceptual level.”
He urged the college to accelerate commercialisation of identified projects and ensure they generate income, while also calling for stronger industry linkages and the protection of intellectual property.
Turning to innovation, Shava welcomed efforts to integrate emerging technologies into teaching and learning.
“I am pleased to note the intention to mainstream artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning. This is a progressive step,” he said.
At Bulawayo Polytechnic, Shava commended the institution’s role in technical skills development and its alignment with the country’s economic agenda under National Development Strategy 2.
“Bulawayo Polytechnic has long been recognised as one of Zimbabwe’s leading centres of technical education and skills development,” he said.
“Its institutional philosophy of being Anchored in the Real World of Production captures the essence of what technical and vocational education and training must achieve.”
He said the transformation of Zimbabwe’s economy depended on a strong skills base and innovation capacity
Shava also noted several student-led innovations at the polytechnic, including a solar-powered bird repellent system and a diabetes management project, describing them as evidence of practical problem-solving.
“These innovations demonstrate the ability of our students to develop practical solutions to real societal challenges,” he said.
Shava also commended the institution’s contribution to rural industrialisation through community outreach programmes across districts such as Matobo, Binga and Nkayi, where students are equipping communities with technical skills.
On commercialisation, he welcomed the establishment of a company to drive income generation but said more needed to be done to bring innovations to the market.
“There is a need to accelerate the commercialisation of student and staff innovations such as the Quelea Shield and other emerging technologies,” he said.
He further called for expanded partnerships with industry and international institutions to strengthen research, technology transfer and skills development.
“TVET institutions must not only produce graduates who are employable, but also innovators, entrepreneurs and industrialists who will contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation,” he said.
Shava reiterated government’s commitment to supporting institutions that align with national goals, and challenged them to deliver measurable results.
He also commended Hillside Teachers’ College for embracing innovation and industrialisation, while calling for urgent action to address infrastructure, funding and enrolment challenges affecting the institution.
He said the institution was aligning well with the country’s development priorities under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) and Vision 2030.
“What I have witnessed today reflects a college that is committed to both teacher education and embracing innovation, industrialisation, and modernisation in line with our national development agenda,” he said.
There are several innovation projects at the college, including the Madhumbe crisps initiative, a garment production unit and a bakery project, describing them as key drivers of practical skills development and institutional sustainability.
“These projects have a multiplier effect, they enhance student learning and also contribute meaningfully to the college’s sustainability,” he said.
Shava singled out the college’s convertible jacket-bag innovation, which has attracted international attention, as an example of the type of creativity needed in teacher training institutions.
“This is the kind of creativity and entrepreneurship we want to see in our teacher training institutions,” he said.
He applauded the college’s strides in integrating emerging technologies into education, noting that more than 150 students have been trained in robotics.
Meanwhile, Shava expressed concern over operational challenges, including low enrolment in STEM and work for fees programmes, inadequate infrastructure and high production costs.
“I urge the college to continue on this trajectory, while the ministry commits to supporting your efforts within the available resources,” he said.