Story by Luis Nhika
ZIMBABWE and China have strengthened bilateral cooperation in education through a new tripartite agreement aimed at promoting skills development, knowledge transfer and technical training.
The agreement was unveiled during the graduation ceremony at Harare Polytechnic on Wednesday and builds on an existing partnership between the institution and Ningbo Polytechnic University in China.
Under the expanded arrangement, the programme will now be rolled out to all eight polytechnics across Zimbabwe as part of efforts to improve technical and vocational education.
The initiative is expected to enhance industry-based learning, technology transfer and the exchange of expertise, while equipping students with practical skills suited to a rapidly evolving economy.
Acting Principal Harare Polytechnic, Mrs Deborah Ruziwa said the collaboration has already produced positive results for both students and staff.
“We are grateful for the results of the collaboration. Our staff and ninety students benefited through joint projects, shared knowledge, exposure to advanced technology and cultural enrichment,” she said.
President of Ningbo Polytechnic University Mr Wu Xiapeng said the programme marked an important milestone in educational cooperation between the two countries.
“We are happy, we are going to award the graduation certificate to our first cohort of students. So on behalf of Ningbo Polytechnic University and our valuable partners, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the government of Zimbabwe, our cooperative enterprises, and our friends who care for and support this project,” he said.
The Tertiary Education Services Council will coordinate the programme to ensure its implementation aligns with the National Development Strategy Two and the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model.
Secretary of the Tertiary Education Services Council Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo said the initiative is designed to strengthen technical education through industry-focused learning.
“The agreement builds on an existing partnership between Harare Polytechnic and Ningbo Polytechnic University in China and will be extended to include all eight polytechnics across Zimbabwe. The initiative seeks to improve technical training through the exchange of expertise, technology transfer and industry-based learning,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Hon Simelisizwe Sibanda urged institutions to align programmes with national development priorities.
“As the government, we encourage that you align the programs to be undertaken around development priorities, for example manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, ICT services, and agricultural value chains,” he said.
Stakeholders say the partnership represents a significant step in strengthening Zimbabwe-China relations through education, while positioning skills development and innovation as key drivers of industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
