Research output must meet industry and society needs – President Mnangagwa
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says research output from the country’s tertiary institutions must respond to the needs of industry and society.
He said this while officiating at the National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Conference at the Harare International Conference Centre this Monday.
“Research outputs must feed into our growing industries and industry must equally inform, guide and request research into pertinent industrial priorities towards improving production and productivity as well as the range of products and services.
“To the private sector, industry, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, I urge you not to be by-standers, jump on to this moving train; partner and support researchers, innovators and inventors,” said the President.
The Head of State called on industry and the private sector to work with the tertiary institutions and utilise new technologies and ideas to better the country.
“As outlined in the National Development Strategy, I expect the commercialisation of intellectual property through a coordinated, harmonious and effective rescarch output value-chain. To further accelerate our country’s modernisation and industrialisation we should never work in silos. Singleness of purpose and seamless co-operation as well as structured academia-industry collaborations, are critically important.”
He also urged the media to unpack the research done at the tertiary institutions and enlighten the nation on how they benefit society.
“I call on the media to play its part and transition from merely reporting on the establishment of innovation hubs and industrial parks. Buildings do not deliver products and services. Instead, the media must unpack and enlighten our societies of the specific innovations and how these will change and impact the lives of our people, village by village; city by city as and the national economy as a whole.”
Co-hosted by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ), the conference brought together representatives of Government ministries and departments, research institutions, academia, and civil society.
The conference is being attended by students and officials from numerous tertiary institutions across the country.
It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas around research and innovation that are key to economic development.
The conference is running under the theme, ‘Coordinating and promoting research towards attaining Vision 2030 and beyond’.
