Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
The Second Republic’s industrialisation drive has saved the country millions of dollars meant for state universities, with the Bindura University of Science Education now funding the construction of its engineering complex.
Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) has leveraged the Education 5.0 model, which encourages research, innovation and production after channelling funds generated from its sanitiser-making project.
BUSE Vice Chancellor, Professor Eddie Mwenje noted, “We constructed the engineering complex at a cost of US$120 million. The construction of the engineering workshop was wholly funded through the proceeds that came from the production of sanitisers. If you recall government-assisted universities started the production of sanitisers.”
The complex that was officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last October is part of a value chain that combines the university’s innovation hub, engineering complex and a soon-to-be-established agro-industrial park.
Professor Mwenje said, “It links to the hub in that Projects that will have undergone ideation at the hub will then be developed into products here at this engineering complex.”
“We also open it to the community where people who have engineering ideas also bring those to the innovation hub and they are invited to troubleshoot their ideas and develop prototypes that are earmarked for spare parts of real outright inventions where people can develop new products completely,” he added.
Two vehicles have been procured, and a goat genetics centre has also been established using funds generated from the sanitiser production programme.
Cabinet recently confirmed that manufacturing goods at universities have helped the government save millions of dollars.
