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management team which reports to a board whose composition is deliberately meant to promote technology transfer and influence economic trends in the country.
Professor Feresu
The board is headed by Professor Sarah Baisai Feresu, Director of the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. Professor Feresu holds a doctorate in Bacteriology. She is a Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe. She is a member of the National Parks board, National Biodiversity Forum and International Foundation for Sciences in her portfolio. In addition, she has authored several publications in her area of expertise.
Professor Lindela Rowland Ndlovu
Professor Lindela Rowland Ndlovu, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, is the Vice Chairperson of the SIRDC Board. Professor Ndlovu holds a PhD in Animal Nutrition with emphasis on Nutritional Biochemistry. He is a founder member of the Zimbabwe Academy of Science and has served as a board chairman for the Cold Storage Company and a member of the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education.
Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango
Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango is the Permanent Secretary for Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development. She holds a doctorate in Occupational Psychology and has expertise in public sector administration, having served in the public service as Deputy Director in the Ministry of Higher Education, General Manager-Assessment in the Public Service Commission, and Principal Director in the Office of the President and Cabinet. She also lectured at the Zimbabwe Open University.
Mr Gift Huggins Sibanda
Mr Gift Huggins Sibanda is a lawyer by profession. He has held several positions within ARIPO and his work portfolio throughout was dedicated to intellectual property work at national, regional and international levels. He is currently the Director-General of ARIPO.
Mrs Rungano Priscilla Karimanzira
Mrs Rungano Priscilla Karimanzira is the Director of Commercialisation of Research and Development Results in the Ministry of Science and Technology Development. She holds a Masters in Business Administration degree and a Masters degree in Theoretical Mechanics. She has worked in the Government of Zimbabwe at the Department of Meteorological Services, Ministry of Transport and Communications and for the United Nations.
Mrs Abigail Shonhiwa
Mrs Abigail Shonhiwa is the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. She holds a Masters in Business Administration degree. A former Minister Plenipotentiary at the Zimbabwe Embassy in Beijing, she has been in the Public Service since 1983 when she joined the Ministry of Industry and International Trade and rose to become a Deputy Secretary within that ministry. She was appointed Principal Director in the Ministry of Economic Development before going to Beijing.
Mr Samson Diniwe Gumbo
Mr Samson Diniwe Gumbo holds a Masters in Curriculum Development and Evaluation and is finalising a DPhil in Evolution of Communication Technology Curriculum in Zimbabwe and its implication to ICT policy. He also sits on various boards and founded a number of charitable organisations in the Midlands Province.
Brigadier Justin Itayi Mujaji
Brigadier Justin Itayi Mujaji, Director-General of Programmes in the Zimbabwe National Army, holds a Masters in Business Administration degree and has served in the previous board of SIRDC.
Engineer Lovemore Gowe Mukono
Engineer Lovemore Gowe Mukono, an entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Mukonitronics which specialises in electronic and electrical gadgets development, is an engineer by profession. He has worked for the power utility Zesa Holdings and Powertronics. His company has branches in South Africa as well as Zambia, Hong Kong and Dubai.
Dr Robson Mafoti
Dr Robson Mafoti is the Chief Executive Officer of SIRDC having been appointed to that position in July 2003. He is a well-known scientist holding several patents and has global experience covering licensing and patent requirements, research and development. By virtue of his position as the head of the centre he becomes an Executive Board member.