Story by ZBC Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially commissioned the newly constructed Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) Industrial Park, which houses PALPO Technologies’ assembly plant and the university’s new main entrance.
The Head of State also toured the university’s School of Optometry, commending the institution for aligning innovation with national development goals.
At full capacity, the PALPO Technologies assembly plant can produce 12 000 laptops, 12 000 tablets, and 8 000 smart and feature phones, marking a significant step in local technology manufacturing.
Speaking after the commissioning, President Mnangagwa expressed satisfaction with the level of innovation and industrialisation being demonstrated by the university. He emphasised that all tertiary institutions should follow suit by contributing to Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming a knowledge-driven and industrialised economy.
“What we are witnessing here is a demonstration of innovation and productivity in action. I expect all our universities and colleges to emulate this model by becoming centres of industrial transformation,” the President said.
PALPO Technologies supervisor, Isiah Kanyimo, revealed that plans are underway to begin local manufacturing of raw materials currently being imported for assembling the gadgets.
“We are now working towards producing part of the components locally to reduce costs and enhance value addition. Our products are already being supplied to tertiary institutions across the country and exported to Lesotho,” he said.
The locally assembled gadgets are priced lower than imports, as the factory imports knocked-down kits for assembly, significantly reducing production costs.
The commissioning of the industrial park and assembly plant is part of the Second Republic’s drive to industrialise higher and tertiary education through innovation hubs and industrial parks, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s march toward Vision 2030.
