Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE country can solve its economic problems through scientific research instead of the retrogressive violent protests, an official has said.

National University of Science and Technology (Nust) director of communication and marketing Mr Felix Moyo yesterday said the country has the brains that can transform its economic fortunes if it focuses on research.

He was speaking ahead of a five-day Research and Intellectual Outputs Science, Engineering and Technology (RIO-SET) Expo which starts today and ends on Saturday at Nust.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is expected to officially open the expo on Friday.

Mr Moyo said the expo has attracted Government officials including the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Jonathan Moyo.

RIO-SET is an engagement of all the country’s higher and tertiary institutions who will be presenting their research projects for the development of the country.

Mr Moyo’s sentiments come at a time when the country is experiencing violent protests which analysts say do not provide solutions to economic problems bedevilling the country.

“Countries develop through research. I can name countries that have done so but one country that easily comes to mind is Germany. When they were experiencing economic unhappiness they focused on science. They focused on research engineering, technology and science and their economy has never looked back. We believe that Zimbabwe has the brains and this is the time to showcase it,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the expo, running under the theme, “Growing Zimbabwean Economy through Innovation”, is a platform for researchers and academics to put their heads together for the development of the country.

He said he was optimistic about the expo which is in its fifth year.

“These papers that are presented are research papers where someone researches on problems affecting the people of Zimbabwe in comparison with other parts of the world. They will interrogate how problems have been solved in other areas,” Mr Moyo said.

He said the expo was an opportunity for higher and tertiary institutions to capacitate themselves so that they can improve their low ranking among global learning institutions.

Last year, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Prof Moyo, said the country has useless academics who are failing to publish research projects that can contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

Prof Moyo said academics’ failure to research on sound projects has led to the country’s institutions failing to make it into the top 50 universities in Africa list.

Mr Moyo said the criticisms from the Minister were constructive and have resulted in academics introspecting.

He said 14 universities, 12 teachers colleges, seven polytechnic colleges and the Tobacco Research Board are expected to present their findings during the expo.

He said the expo is free and open to members of the public and the organisers are providing fuel to high schools who want their pupils to be part of the science exhibition. — @nqotshili

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