The need for academics and industrialists to leverage on Artificial Intelligence was the rallying point as over 1 600 graduates were conferred with various diplomas at the Kwekwe Polytechnic graduation ceremony this Friday.
The graduation ceremony cemented Kwekwe Polytechnic’s leading position as the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) hub after 81 percent of the graduates graduated in related subjects.
The institute of higher learning is now angling to create some start-ups for its graduates in line with the Second Republic’s industrialisation efforts.
“We are very excited to have come this far in the implementation of the education 5.0 model. Currently, we have managed to register five companies, which are at various stages of commercialisation. These companies are being fronted by current and former students, which shows the milestones we have made as an institution,” Kwekwe Polytechnic College Principal, Mr Evans Musara said.
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda, who was standing in for his principal, Ambassador Frederick Shava, implored institutes of higher learning to go a step further by tapping into Artificial Intelligence in producing competitive products.
“There are a lot of hanging fruits in the Artificial Intelligence area. These tools can help to enhance your product’s output. We are saying it is time we start making use of these technologies as they have the potential of changing your game on the global arena,” Honourable Sibanda noted.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, weighed in, saying the Education 5.0 Model has transformed society for the better.
“The synergy between education and industry has become the cornerstone of the Second Republic’s strategy to drive resource-based skills and knowledge-driven economic recovery and growth. I wish to applaud Kwekwe Polytechnic for strategically positioning itself towards the conversion of ideas into tangible goods and services that benefit communities and the Midlands Provincial economy, propelled mainly by mining, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and tourism,” he said.
The Education 5.0 Model is proving to be a game changer in transforming societies as it is churning out innovative graduates who are addressing societal needs.
The Zimbabwe National Army has concluded the 14th edition of its annual ZNA schools competitions, which were held at Ngezi barracks in Battlefields.
Learners from various army schools across the country who participated in the extravaganza underscored the importance of sport, saying the event allowed them to improve their skills.
“I am very happy to partake in this year’s competitions because it allowed me to measure myself under real challenge and in front of scouts. This is good not only for us but also for the nation,” one learner said.
“Today, I won a trophy and prize money for being the best O-level student of 2024. This gave me the zeal and determination to continue working hard and also bagging more prizes and accolades,” another learner added.
The Zimbabwe National Army Chief of Staff, General Staff, Major General Augustine Chipwere, reminded learners to preserve and promote cultural values while playing a key role in the economic growth of the country.
“We want you learners to take seriously the Heritage-Based education framework so that we produce students who are able to proffer solutions to our problems. As the nation strides towards its vision of empowering and capacitating young people, we want you to be part of this journey. You are the future of this nation, and technology is evolving by each passing day, and you must keep up with the trends,” he said.
At the school’s competitions, learners battled out in various sporting activities such as soccer, volleyball, athletics, innovations, and marching drills. Ngezi and Magunje High schools excelled as they scooped various awards.
