President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday 20 November 2020 was at Midlands State University in Gweru, where he conferred degrees to 3507 graduates, before unveiling the University’s Industrial Park and the C G Msipa Teaching and Learning Centre.
Speaking at the unveiling, President Mnangagwa said the Second Republic is keen to see every Zimbabwean reach their full potential in line with Vision 2030, through a strong innovation ecosystem underpinned by the result-oriented Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).
“The Second Republic is desirous to see every Zimbabwean reach their full potential through a strong and vibrant innovation ecosystem,” he said.
The President commended Midlands State University for establishing the Industrial Park and called on institutions of higher learning to ensure that innovation hubs and industrial parks answer to societal needs and provide the impetus for economic growth.
“The University is commended for setting-up this industrial park. However, let us always be mindful that these buildings, innovation hubs and industrial parks are not an end in themselves. We have entered an action and solutions era, as such the registration of patents, the establishment of start-ups and the manufacturing of goods and products that answer the needs of our society as well as catapult economic prosperity must be our foremost priority,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa further urged local experts, government ministries and captains of industry to embrace local innovations and solutions that are being produced by state universities through incubation hubs and industrial parks.
The MSU Industrial Park houses the University’s clothing and textile enterprise, and chemical manufacturing plant. Plans are afoot for the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and a food processing plant, with the construction of factory shells already underway.
Meanwhile, the President also applauded Midlands State University for constructing a state-of-the-art teaching and learning centre, which he said would go a long way in creating an enabling learning and research environment for students.
President Mnangagwa further commended MSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor V N Muzvidziwa and the University Council led by Dr Eng. C Makwiranzou for memorialising the late Cde Cephas G Msipa by naming the new learning and teaching centre built at the University’s Graduate School of Business Leadership, Faculties of Law and Commerce Campus, after him.
“I applaud the Vice-Chancellor and indeed the University Council for naming one of the University’s teaching and learning centres after our national hero, the late Cephas G Msipa.
I was explaining to the Vice-Chancellor that … when we came in there was only the University of Zimbabwe, and we decided to have the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). After NUST… we had to find out what the University of Zimbabwe and NUST were offering. We needed an MSU with a particular focus, so we formed a committee which I chaired and had Cde Cephas Msipa and the late Cde Richard Hove. Our patron was the late Dr (Simon) Muzenda, and our academic consultant was Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe. So I am happy that they have honoured one of the four planners of this university,” said the President.
Among those who attended the unveiling were the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira, the Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira and MSU Chairman of Council Dr Engineer Caleb Makwiranzou.