Zimpapers Logo

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO Polytechnic is working on realigning its education system with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) in an effort to turn its graduates into key players in the country’s economic development. The tertiary institution hosted a two-day research conference this week aimed at finding ways of how it can dove-tail its courses with the country’s economic blueprint.

The conference, which was the first to be held by a polytechnic, was held under the theme: “Research and Innovation in the Technical and Vocational Education: The 21st Century Scenario”.

Fifty-five delegates drawn from institutions of higher learning across the country attended the conference where a cross-section of issues affecting Zimbabweans were discussed.

Resource persons drawn from different institutions presented papers on various topics.

Some of the issues discussed included strategies of making Zim-Asset a success through equipping students with the necessary skills.

Bulawayo Polytechnic principal, Gilbert Mabasa, yesterday said the conference looked at the impact of gender stereotypes on technical and vocational programmes.

“Such conferences have in the past been held by universities but this was the first time it was held by a polytechnic.

“We’re pleased with the development and this will become a permanent feature on our calendar.

“We discussed the importance of eliminating the discrimination of female students in our enrolment as we try to promote gender balance,” said Mabasa.

The conference also emphasised the importance of synchronising the operations of secondary schools, technical and vocational institutions as well as the country’s commerce and industry.

“Other issues that were discussed include the promotion of enquiry-based education, the role of national studies in promoting Ubuntu/Unhu in Zimbabwean polytechnics, regaining and building a sustainable commuter transport system whose case study was done in Harare.

“Each of the papers presented during the conference were from researches that had been undertaken by the institutions and were based on real-life interviews with stakeholders from the different areas covered,” said Mabasa.

The delegates also discussed the reading patterns of students at colleges, with a survey having been done at Mutare Teacher’s College.

Other topics discussed included the public’s perception on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and challenges faced by students during industrial attachment.

The Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Washington Mbizvo, attended the workshop.

The issue of English and Mathematics subjects as pre-requisites of tertiary education and accessibility of counselling services at institutions of higher learning were also discussed.

Bulawayo Polytechnic was established in 1927 initially as a technical school to meet the demands of the industry when the city was then the industrial hub of Southern Africa.

It has grown from a preserve of a minority, which started with 37 white students, to an institution enrolling more than 5,000 students drawn from all over the country.