Gweru – In a bid to foster collaboration, information exchange, and enhance research and innovation capabilities, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Research and Development team visited Midlands State University Main Campus on the 13th of May 2024.
Delivering her opening remarks, Pro-Vice Chancellor – Research, Innovation, and Industrialisation, Professor G. Mugumbate, highlighted the potential for fruitful cooperation between the University and the ZDF Research and Development team.
“We firmly believe that collaboration across diverse sectors, such as academia and defence industry, holds tremendous potential for groundbreaking advancements that benefit society as a whole,” Professor Mugumbate remarked.
Outlining the expectations of the ZDF team, Director-ZDF Research and Development, Colonel F. Taruvinga, emphasised the importance of engaging with academia to harness cutting-edge research and technology advancements.
“We believe that collaboration with academic institutions such as Midlands State University is crucial in fostering innovation and enhancing our defense capabilities.
“We look forward to exploring potential areas of cooperation, including joint research projects and knowledge exchange,” iterated Colonel Taruvinga.
Giving an overview of the Research and Innovation Division, Executive Director-Research and Innovation – Professor L. Chikoko, shared insights into the University’s research initiatives.
She highlighted the diverse research areas pursued at MSU, emphasising the University’s commitment to producing research that addresses societal needs and contributes to national development.
Following the overview, Executive Deans and Executive Directors from various faculties and research centres expressed their views on the potential collaboration with the ZDF Research and Development team.
Executive Deans and Executive Directors highlighted the specific areas of expertise and ongoing research projects within their respective units.
The session transitioned into a question-and-answer segment, during which representatives from both MSU and the ZDF engaged in lively discussions.
Concluding the event, the ZDF Research and Development team was given a guided tour of the science and technology laboratories at MSU.
The ZDF team had the chance to witness firsthand the state-of-the-art facilities and interact with researchers and students involved in cutting-edge projects.
This event laid ground for potential joint research projects, fostering innovation in the higher learning and defence sectors.