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Chipo Mutasa

Molline Gagare Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S leading fixed phone operator, TelOne and the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce a degree in Telecommunications Engineering at the TelOne Centre for Learning in Harare.

Earlier this year, TelOne and Nust signed yet another MoU on the development of ICT related research and innovation commercialisation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, TelOne managing director Chipo Mutasa said the partnership with Nust was premised on the fact that the institution was an established technology university with a good track record of producing electronic graduate engineers.

“The objective is to grow TelOne Centre For Learning (TCFL) through provision of more advanced telecommunications training, to increase profitability and to provide more highly-qualified and skilled manpower to the information communication technology (ICT) sector. It was envisioned that a TCFL-Nust partnership would produce synergies that would benefit both institutions and Zimbabwe at large,” she said.

Mutasa said the ICT sector had been identified as an enabler for all facets of the economy and also one of the pillars on which the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) was anchored.

“This course will contribute to the resource base needed for Zim-Asset to be a success. This will obviously have a trickledown effect which will see Zimbabwean ICT engineers making an impact globally thus enhancing Zimbabwe’s profile and attracting the much needed investment for research and development collaborations with other universities,” she said.

Nust vice chancellor, Prof Lindela Ndlovu said he was glad that their partnership had started to bear tangible results with the curriculum of the degree programme having already been established as well as the administration and faculty of the programme.

“Today marks the realisation of a dream and the beginning of a long, exciting and awe-inspiring union between TCFL and Nust. Nust now adds a new and exciting degree into its existing portfolio and will enjoy a close relationship with the industry it seeks to serve.”

“Today also heralds the entry by TCFL into the vibrant university arena; a playground which, guided by a strong partner, will excel,” he said.