Story by John Nhandara
HARARE-THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has intensified calls for the rapid ratification of the SADC University of Transformation (SUT) by member states, positioning it as a cornerstone in the region’s bid to accelerate industrialisation through education and innovation.
This came to the fore during the SADC Senior Officials Meeting on Education, convened in Harare this Tuesday, where delegates underscored the urgent need to align higher education with the region’s industrialisation priorities.
The SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063) recognises human capital development and innovation as pivotal engines for increasing productivity across member states.
Professor Fanuel Tagwira, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, highlighted the strategic importance of the SADC University of Transformation, which he said had moved beyond the conceptual stage and was now poised for full operationalisation.
“The SADC Industrialisation Roadmap demands that we prioritise human capital development and innovation as the engine for productivity. Key strategic projects under this purview include the SADC University of Transformation. This flagship initiative is no longer a concept but a living institution poised to bridge the gap between SADC academia and industry,” he said.
He added that ratifying the SUT would pave the way for a new generation of graduates who are not only employment-ready but who are also creators of jobs, with curricula specifically tailored to regional value chains in mining, agriculture, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
The meeting also saw member states reaffirm their commitment to harnessing digital technologies, increasing investments in research and development, and closing the historical disconnect between higher education institutions and industry.
The operationalisation of the SADC University of Transformation is seen as a vital step in achieving the long-term goals of regional integration, sustainable economic growth, and industrial competitiveness under the SADC development blueprint.
