Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE adoption of the Heritage-based education system and establishment of entrepreneurial units by institutions of higher learning is placing education as a key driver to the attainment of Vision 2030.
Speaking at Nyadire College of Education’s graduation ceremony this Thursday, graduates praised the institution’s practical and innovation-driven approach to learning, saying it has equipped them with skills that extend beyond the classroom and into entrepreneurship.
The college has established 18 business units that expose students to practical skills and income-generating projects, enabling them to become both educators and entrepreneurs.
“We have not only been taught both theory and practicals. We can produce mushrooms, make sausages, and other agricultural production activities over and above our teaching qualifications. We are looking forward to promoting innovation among learners using the skills we acquired here,” a graduate said.
Another graduate highlighted the importance of innovation and skills development in transforming communities.
“I would like to go into the world and encourage young children to work hard in school. I will encourage learners to be innovative or to be entrepreneurs. I would like to learn more so that I can combine agriculture and computer science to make machines to improve food security.”
Nyadire College of Education authorities outlined the scope of their business ventures.
“We have 151 graduates today. In terms of Education 5.0, we have a great number of projects we are running in the college. We have agricultural projects that include horticulture, piggery, cattle rearing, butchery, fishery, and poultry, among others. Also, the HEXCO students are being prepared for the hospitality industry and in the field of planning and baking. We are also engaging our communities in terms of production of stock feed,” Nyadire College of Education’s Vice Principal, Dr Alexander Katiyo noted.
Government is convinced that the thrust to give more attention towards practicals will help to produce graduates who can help to transform both the education and business landscape, which is critical to the attainment of Vision 2030.
“Nyadire College of Education, to us, is a pinnacle of higher education. It is an oasis of higher education and promotes the acquisition of skills that are required in contributing to the social and economic development of our nation. This is critical in advancing the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2, which is the final step towards the fulfillment of an upper-middle-income economy, which we are certain will be achieved,” Manicaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo said.
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda, commended the institution for its entrepreneurial initiatives.
“Nyadire College of Education established 18 entrepreneurial business units focused on addressing local needs and stimulating economic growth. These initiatives also create employment opportunities for the local community. Consistent with regulatory compliance and a broader mandate of colleges of education to offer diverse national income, the college is now offering technical and financial education training that is tailored to cover national certificates in professional cooking and additional certificates in bakery and food preparation, in addition to the diploma in education. On the basis of this, we are pleased that our community is taking the TVET programme very seriously. We are proud of this college for such a transformative initiative to address the critical skills gap necessary for national development.”
The Second Republic’s new focus on heritage-based education has seen institutions of higher learning registering a number of patents and increasing their contributions towards the industrial growth of the country.
