Gweru, Zimbabwe – Midlands State University’s (MSU) Research and Innovation Division has taken a significant step towards fostering a culture of research excellence and commercialisation with the launch of a strategic grants awareness campaign.
The initiative, held on 20 March 2025 at the University’s Main Campus in Gweru, targeted the Faculty of Social Sciences, bringing together lecturers and heads of departments to explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
The campaign, designed to enhance the University’s research landscape, underscored the importance of securing grants to support groundbreaking discoveries and drive commercialisation efforts.
It also aimed to equip faculty members with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the grant application process effectively.
In her opening remarks, Professor C. Hungwe, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, highlighted the strategic significance of the initiative.
She expressed her gratitude to the Research and Innovation Division for spearheading the campaign, which she described as a critical step towards building a vibrant research community.
Professor G. Mehlana, Executive Director of Research and Innovation, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for a strategic shift towards commercialisation.
He called for greater innovation within the University community and reaffirmed the division’s commitment to supporting young staff members in their grant-related endeavours.
“Our focus must be on commercialisation and fostering innovation within our institution. We are dedicated to empowering our young staff through their grant initiatives,” Professor Mehlana stated.
The event featured detailed presentations from various the research, innovation, business development, and finance units within the division.
A dedicated question-and-answer segment allowed participants to address challenges and explore ways to streamline procedures, ensuring a more efficient and collaborative approach between faculty members and the Research and Innovation Division.
In his closing remarks, Professor M. Matsa, Chairperson of the Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability, and Resilience, urged attendees to put the insights gained from the campaign into practice.
“Let us take the lessons from this initiative and translate them into actionable steps that will drive impactful research and commercialisation efforts,” he said.
The awareness campaign marks a pivotal moment in MSU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its research capabilities and promote innovation.
This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on the institution’s research output, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation that will benefit not only the University community but also society at large.