Story by Fungai Jachi
THE Public Service Commission (PSC), through its ongoing series of university public lectures, is engaging students and academia on its critical role in shaping the public service landscape.
This Monday, the PSC Chairperson delivered a public lecture at the Women’s University in Africa in Harare, focusing on key areas such as the Commission’s mandate, opportunities within the public sector, public service delivery, human capital development, and strategic partnerships with higher education institutions aimed at nurturing a high-performance public service culture.
The public lecture was delivered by the Commission’s Deputy Chairperson, Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni, who represented the Chairperson, Dr Vincent Hungwe.
In an interview with ZBC News, Dr Ndiweni said it is critical to interact with university students and explain how the commission works as they prepare to join the workforce.
“Today, we seek to unravel how universities, specifically Women’s University in Africa, can build resilience through the critical lens of gender, ensuring that the modernised society we build is truly inclusive. This includes addressing the very real and often unspoken journey of scholar-mothers who balance the profound responsibilities of motherhood with the pursuit of academic excellence,” she said.
She also noted that the programme is ongoing.
“This initiative is ongoing, we have already visited some universities and delivered lectures because as a Commission we want students to be aware of the needs of the job market and for the University to provide relevant knowledge and skills when preparing to enter the job market,” Dr Ndiweni said.
The Women’s University in Africa appreciated the initiative by the PSC, noting that as an institution, they are now able to align their curriculum with what is relevant to the employer.
“We are sincerely grateful for the PSC’s willingness to share its valuable expertise on reskilling and upskilling our human capital. People are the greatest asset of any nation. While we take pride in our God-given natural resources, agricultural products, culture, and heritage, it is essential that we collaboratively define our niche to become the jewel of Africa,” Director International Programmes and Global Initiative Women’s University in Africa, Mrs Semukeliso Gono said.
Attendees got an opportunity to interact and ask questions, with the commission responding.
The PSC lectures will be taken to every university in the country so as to emphasise the importance of aligning education with the needs of the public sector and building a skilled, agile workforce.
The lectures highlight the PSC’s focus on recruitment, training, performance management and ensuring that public servants are “fit for purpose”.
