Story by Oliver Karuru
ZIMBABWE and China relations continue to flourish, with 30 students set to embark on a transformative academic journey to China under a landmark partnership between Mutare Polytechnic and Guangdong College of Water Resources and Electric Engineering.
The exchange programme will see the students undergoing specialised training in water resources and irrigation engineering, as well as electrical power engineering, a skill critical in further improving the agricultural sector.
“This initiative reflects our government’s dedication to empowering youths through education,” a student said.
“The skills and expertise we will gain in China will not only elevate our careers, but also enable us to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s modernisation.”
Mutare Polytechnic Principal Ms Poniso Watema described the collaboration between the two polytechnic colleges as a pivotal milestone in Zimbabwe’s international partnerships.
“The partnership aims to address Zimbabwe’s critical skills shortages and align graduate competencies with the nation’s industrialisation drive.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, stressed the significance of international partnerships in addressing the critical skills gap.
“This partnership is a clear sign of the strengthening bonds between Zimbabwe and China in the field of education and human capital development. As the government, it is our duty to ensure that learners are prepared to give solutions to the problems that we have in the country and through such efforts, we will close the critical skills gap that we have.”
Since the introduction of the Heritage-based Education 5.0 Model, institutions of higher learning are taking the lead in sharpening skills relevant to propelling the country’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda.
