MSU Incubation Hub

The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, Honourable Dr Jorum M. Gumbo, toured Midlands State University`s Incubation Hub and Industrial Park on the 23^rd of July 2020 on a monitoring visit for the 100-day cycle priority projects.

 In his remarks, Dr Gumbo marvelled at the rapid growth of the institution, which he attributed to a committed workforce. He was pleased by the projects currently being incubated in the Incubation Hub and commended the University for commercializing the hand sanitiser project, which has seen the University supplying several companies in the province and beyond.

“I am here to witness the successful implementation of the Incubation Hub despite the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid results approach that the University has adopted is yielding positive results and the Incubation Hub is heavily involved in the fight against the COVID-19 through the production of hand sanitiser. The hub should grow to a level of self-sustenance and I would like to thank Midlands State University for their commitment and support of government initiatives,’ said the Minister.

MSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Victor N. Muzvidziwa expressed gratitude to Hon. Dr Gumbo for visiting the University among other institutions to monitor the progress of the government-funded projects. He applauded the government for its financial support and noted that it is through such support that the University can achieve its set objectives.

Professor Muzvidziwa highlighted some of the government-funded projects that have benefitted the University.

“We are privileged and grateful to have received tremendous financial support from the government for the construction of the Incubation Hub and a Laboratory, the refurbishment of a factory structure at our industrial park as well as the construction of a new factory shell. The factory shell is intended to commercialise the University’s research output. Additionally, the University received funding for setting up a sanitiser production plant and the Indigenous Fruits and Herbs Project.” He added that the establishment of the Industrial Park is in line with the Education 5.0 philosophy, which will see the Institution achieving its objectives and mandate.

 The Vice-Chancellor also informed the visiting delegation that the government through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has committed to funding research that has the potential for innovation. It is in this context that MSU has enrolled 14 postgraduate students who are all on full government scholarships and who are all researching on Zimbabwe’s indigenous fruits and herbs. The outcomes of the research are expected to impact medicine, pharmaceuticals and beverages production among other products.

 Minister Gumbo was accompanied during the tour by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor V. N. Muzvidziwa, MSU Principal officers, the Chairperson of the Joint Operations Command, members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), and several heads of government departments in the Province.

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira on Thursday the 17^th of October 2019 toured Midlands State University’s Incubation Hub to assess the progress that has been made in the construction of the Hub’s laboratories.

The construction of laboratories at the Incubation Hub comes as the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development is championing Education 5.0, whose main thrust is on education that causes industrialization and modernization. During his tour, Minister Murwira emphasised the importance of research and the role of the Incubation Hub in bringing about industrial development.

‘We all did research and at that point, there was no industry, but now we want to programme and deliberately sponsor research knowing very well the outcome,’ he said.

He reiterated the need to process patents in order to stimulate the labs into operation and highlighted various types of research that the Incubation Hub can harness to earn revenue.

‘We have other patrons who are informed by Heritage Based Development, that bases on indigenous fruits and trees to try and manufacture either pharmaceutical or food products under the Value of Trees and Herbs Program,’ he added.

Professor Murwira was accompanied on his tour by officials from his ministry as well as the MSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Victor Muzvidziwa and other University officials.

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On Thursday the 26th of September 2019 a new student initiative, the Google Developers Student Club Midlands State University (DSC MSU) was launched at the University’s main campus in Gweru. The Club is a community of students drawn from various academic backgrounds, who together are expected to build a professional and personal network while getting access to Google resources to help solve localized problems in a peer to peer environment.

The Club was officially launched by the Executive Dean of Science and Technology, Dr Action Nechibvute at a ceremony attended by the Executive Dean of Students Mr Isheunesu Chaka, Director of the MSU Incubation Hub, Dr Charles Paradzai and the Student Development Officer, Mr Wellington Ilunga.
In his remarks, Dr Nechibvute explained the importance of technology-based clubs within the institution, noting that they were critical in championing technological development.

‘Let us create a benchmark as a Club that will see the institution and the surrounding community benefit from the good work that we are starting today,’ he said.

The birth of the Club has put MSU on the international map once again, as it is one of the Google DSC centres around the globe and one of only two in Zimbabwe. DSC MSU leader Marvelous Chirunga said, the MSU community has now been connected to other institutions around the world and will be of great value to the institution.
‘It is my utmost pleasure to tell you that we have been connected to other institutions in the world that have DSCs,’ he said.

Former MSU student and founder of Green Works, Mr Talkmore Sibanda said that ideas are useless if they are not implemented and put into action.
‘People are being paid for solving problems thus in the journey we have started, we need problem solvers who will earn money in the process,’ said Mr Sibanda.

DSC MSU’s launch comes shortly after the club president, Marvelous Chirunga has just returned home from the Sub-Sahara African Google Developers Student Club Summit in Accra, Ghana which took place earlier this month.

The government has re-affirmed its commitment to improving the country`s national capability by funding people with good and innovative ideas in order to fulfill the National Strategic Intent to modernise and industrialise.

This was revealed by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira when he delivered a public lecture at the Midlands State University`s Gweru Main Campus on the 12<sup>th</sup> of April 2019. The public lecture titled, ‘The Role of Universities in Driving our Nation`s Industrialisation and Modernisation through the philosophy of Education 5.0.’ sought to unpack education 5.0 in line with the need to redesign and align the country’s higher education sector to the national strategic intent.

Professor Murwira said, his ministry has committed itself to fund great ideas and great innovations that will lead to the production of goods and service. He further emphasised the need for individuals and institutions to think outside the box, noting that good innovations will transform their business activities into major sources of revenue.

‘Some people think that if we give them money they will start having ideas, but then if I give you ten billion dollars today, will you start thinking? What comes first? I hope you understand. Good ideas lead to good money, not vice versa,’ he said.

The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development has requested for 20 hectares of land from each of the country’s ten provinces for the construction of Industrial Parks, which will result in the transformation of knowledge and skills into services and goods. Meanwhile, incubation hubs at various state universities are at different stages of completion with Midlands State University`s incubation hub laboratories set to be completed soon following the disbursement of funds by the parent ministry.

No matter how good an idea is, whether it becomes the next big thing or not, could come down to a single business pitch. As part of continued efforts to foster and nurture innovation and entrepreneurship among students, the Midlands State University Innovators Hub club held a project pitching seminar on the 3^rd of April 2019.

The seminar, which was held at the University’s Incubation Hub, was facilitated by Mr Talkmore Sibanda, a Research Assistant at the Hub and Mr Marvelous Nyongoro, a 3^rd year Accounting student and multi-award winning entrepreneur. During the seminar, participants were exposed to various ways through which, one can make a master class pitch based on the content they present, how they present it and the structure of the pitch.

Among those who attended the seminar was the Innovators Hub club patron, Dr Michael Bhebhe, under whose capable leadership the club has grown considerably.

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The Midlands State University Incubation Hub set the ball rolling on Wednesday 17 October 2018 by launching its two inaugural products.

The products launched were roofing and tiling materials from innovators called Noble Savages and a green revolution innovation of Seed Balls from Evergreen Solutions.

Noble Savages represented by Msindazwe Ndhlovu and Tsepang Khumalo have come up with an advanced version of roofing tiles and pavers made out of recycled plastic with the distinct advantages of being lighter, stronger, cheaper and resultantly leading to the creation of a safe and greener world. For more information on the innovation, follow the link :

On the other hand, Evergreen Solutions represented by Stuart Kwenda and Tapfuma Mutema launched Seed Balls which are seeds coated in a combination of nutrients and binder forming balls which are easy to disperse for germination. For more information on For more information on the innovation, follow the link :

Speaking during the launch, the guest of honour, Professor D. Z. Moyo, the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Academic Affairs said, ‘the primary mandate of the Hub is to promote research, technology and innovation based on entrepreneurship through incubation and networking. It is our expectation that new start-up companies will setup and thereby accelerate technology transfer to industry and the nation’.

The inaugural product launch is a great stride towards achieving the vision of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, championed by the Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, which seeks to build a national culture of performance for the growth of the economy through modernization and industrialization.

The launch was attended by various corporate players among them Nyaradzo, the Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Authority and Steward Bank who are collaborating with the MSU Incubation Hub.

Also in attendance was the Director of the MSU Incubation Hub, Dr Patience Siwadi together with various faculty deans and members of the University community.