BULAWAYO Polytechnic is making significant strides in technical education, innovation, and community development, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development minister Frederick Shava has said.
Shava commended the institution’s progress during a tour this week, adding that the innovations go hand in glove with the national development programme.
“The initiatives showcased demonstrate strong alignment with the national development agenda as articulated in the National Development Strategy 2 and the broader aspiration of achieving Vision 2030,” Shava said.
He highlighted the importance of technical vocational education and training institutions producing graduates who are employable, innovators, entrepreneurs and industrialists.
Shava noted improvements in infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art main entrance gate, renovated student hostels and upgraded ablution facilities.
“Among the notable developments are the construction of a state-of-the-art main entrance gate, renovation of student hostels, refurbishment of the dining hall, and upgrading of ablution facilities,” he said.
Shava also praised student-led initiatives, such as campus clean-up campaigns and community engagement activities, saying they instil civic responsibility and social awareness.
“Equally commendable are the student-led initiatives such as campus clean-up campaigns and community engagement activities, which help instil a sense of civic responsibility and social awareness among our young people.”
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He emphasised research and innovation, citing student projects like the Quelea Shield, a solar-powered bird repellent system, and the Diabetes Harmony Project, a holistic diabetes management system.
“These innovations demonstrate the ability of our students to develop practical solutions to real societal challenges, particularly in agriculture and health.”
The Higher and Tertiary Education minister encouraged commercialisation of such innovations and deeper industry collaboration.
“There is a need to accelerate the commercialisation of student and staff innovations such as the Quelea Shield and other emerging technologies,” Shava said.
He proposed recommendations, including accelerating innovation commercialisation, expanding research and industry collaboration, and scaling up rural industrialisation programmes.
“Government remains committed to supporting the modernisation of infrastructure within our polytechnics.”
