Students from the Midlands State University’s Innovation Hub, had the opportunity to network with leading business people and innovators from the Southern African region at the Elevate Trust organised African STEM Career fair held at the Harare of Institute Technology from 27 June to 1 July 2022.
The STEM Career Fair, which took place during Africa Science Week, brought together the best STEM leaders, innovators, and champions in Zimbabwe to network and explore opportunities for strengthening the STEM talent pipeline.
This Career Fair saw a huge gathering of over 500 mentors and mentees.
Innovative businesspeople, among them, 27 year-old Skylake Borehole Drilling Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tatenda Samukange and Proair Air Conditioning founder George Munengwa affectionately known in social media circles as ‘George Billionaire’ took turns to the podium to share their inspiring journeys in business.
Event Coordinator and Elevate Trust Director Sicelo Dube underscored the importance of career guidance for young innovators in Zimbabwe.
“We are celebrating Africa Science week, and as the Zimbabwe’s Science Ambassador, I, the STEM Lady, saw fit to call this week the STEM Career Week, because what most of our students need is career guidance,” she said.
Giving his keynote address on the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day, Kuvimba Mining Group Chief Executive Officer Simba Chinyemba challenged the young innovators not to be limited by the career paths they choose.
“Don’t be limited by the studies you undertake. I’m an Actuary but I’m now into mining. Learning the skills in your area of study helps you to be diverse and explore all opportunities that may come your way,”he said.
Kuvimba Mining House was one of the key sponsors of the Career Fair. It is the largest mining group in the country employing over 4000 people at various mining concerns around the country.
MSU Innovation Manager Reagan Mudziwapasi said that the Africa Science Week Fair gave them the opportunity to share their knowledge with high school students, exhibit their innovations to potential investors and network with like minded business and innovative people.