Story by Lisa Masuku
GOVERNMENT has urged researchers to come up with innovations that can be monetised to propel the country towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
This emerged during a two-day third edition of the Bulawayo Polytechnic International Research Conference which began this Thursday in Bulawayo.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Norman Rudhumbu said, ‘‘As government we are encouraging researchers to come up with innovations which the country can then monetise.’’
Running under the theme, ‘TVET Producing Tangible Solutions Towards Vision 2030’, the conference also sought to bring out the link between industry and Education 5.0.
NetOne Chief Operating Officer, Engineer Jeremiah Munembe noted, ‘‘In terms of Industry 5.0, the link is such that when you look at the manufacturing concern it means that you can connect machines and exchange data at a faster rate. Even when you automate certain things, you actually can reduce the number of people who are monitoring these things.’’
Innovation and technology transfer through incubation hubs was also identified as critical in producing employment creators.
NUST Director Innovations Dr Venna Sibanda said, ‘‘As NUST, we train students at our innovation hub so that we equip them with various skills to help them to be employment creators.’’
Innovation hubs at tertiary institutions have revolutionised the education system by making sure students are equipped to come up with tangible solutions to challenges afflicting the country.
