The Zimbabwe University Information Communication Technology Directors Association (ZICTA) Technical Committee held an e-learning stakeholder meeting at Midlands State University’s Gweru Main Campus on 22 April 2021. The meeting was convened to discuss critical issues about technology-based learning with key stakeholders who deal with pedagogical technologies.
The meeting brought together Information and Communication Technology (ICT) directors from various local universities, including Great Zimbabwe University, Africa University, Zimbabwe Open University, Manicaland State University, Harare Institute of Technology, National University of Science and Technology and Midlands State University, as well as ICT focal persons from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
Speaking during the meeting, MSU Information Technology Services (ITS) Director, Mr Liberty Dandira, said the move to cloud-based technologies was of strategic importance for tertiary institutions.
“We believe that transition to the cloud environment and shared services is a strategic process that is institution wide and which needs strategic insights and support,” said Mr Dandira.
In her presentation, ZICTA Technical Team Chairperson, Mrs Miriam Chahuruva, outlined ZICTA’s mandate, its composition and the purpose of the meeting.
“ZICTA provides a forum for sharing information and experiences about university ICT governance … It also seeks to enhance teaching, learning, research and administration on behalf of stakeholders within participating member institutions through the development of relevant standard infrastructure.
“ZICTA also promotes and facilitates cooperative acquisition schemes among members as well as collaboration with other national, regional and international organisations with similar missions. So the technical team is here at MSU to look at the infrastructure and technical issues that are affecting the university,” said Mrs Chahuruva.
Addressing participants, Zimbabwe Research and Education Network (ZIMREN) Director and ZICTA Secretariat, Engineer Cletus Nyachowe, highlighted the benefits of shared infrastructure and services for tertiary institutions, as well as ZIMREN’s current status.
Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), ICT Director, Mr Shakemore Chinofunga elaborated on ZICTA Technical Terms of Reference and Scope. The meeting ended with a tour of MSU’s ICT infrastructure.
Among those who attended the meeting were the MSU Executive Dean of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Reginald Matchaba-Hove, and Mr Taurai Rebanowako, a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, who was also representing the Executive Dean of Science and Technology, Dr Action Nechibvute.
Was this post helpful?
Let us know if you liked the post. That’s the only way we can improve.