Zimpapers Logo

Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]

COMPANIES have been urged to employ data protection officers in light of the rapid growth of technology, which continues to advance at a remarkable pace.

This comes as 92 data protection officers recently graduated under the Data Protection Officer Certification Training Programme, a collaborative initiative between the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) and the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT).

A total of 92 individuals graduated in the second cohort, following the inaugural group of 57 graduates last year.

The event coincided with the three-day Potraz Data Privacy Symposium, recently held in the resort city of Victoria Falls.

The symposium, themed “Bridging Technology, Policy, Law, and Practice: Towards Strengthening Data Protection in Zimbabwe,” brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, academics, researchers, security agencies, private sector players, and data subjects.

Addressing delegates during the graduation ceremony, which was attended by Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera and Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, Harare Institute of Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Engineer Quinton Chamunorwa said the graduation marked the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and learning, as well as the beginning of a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s data protection and privacy sector.

“In today’s digital age, the role of a data protection officer is more critical than ever. With the exponential growth of data and the increasing complexity of data privacy regulations, organisations across the globe are in dire need of professionals who can navigate these challenges with expertise and integrity, safeguarding the privacy and security of personal data,” he said.

On 25 October 2023, HIT and Potraz signed a Memorandum of Agreement, marking a significant step towards promoting training, research, and development on cyber and data protection issues.

“This partnership is crucial in our journey towards a more secure digital future. Therefore, we agreed to implement the following key initiatives: training and certification of data protection officers; programme content development; academic research and development in cyber and data protection issues; and cooperation in any other areas of mutual interest identified for the benefit of both parties,” said Prof Eng Chamunorwa.

Professor Engineer Quinton Chamunorwa

He noted that HIT is Zimbabwe’s growing innovation and technopreneurial university.

Granted university status in 2005 through the promulgation of the Harare Institute of Technology Act {Chapter 25:26}, its mandate is to develop, incubate, transfer, and commercialise technology to drive Zimbabwe’s rapid industrialisation.

“The HIT mandate does not include producing graduates in the traditional sense. However, it has embarked on a robust process of providing cutting-edge tools aligned with the country’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda,” said Prof Eng Chamunorwa.

“HIT integrates technopreneurial and innovation strands across all its programmes, including Artificial Intelligence and big data analytics, equipping its students with the resilience and expertise to champion the formation of high-tech enterprises that create employment and generate revenue for the national economy.”

Prof Eng Chamunorwa highlighted that HIT offers a comprehensive, innovation-driven curriculum through unique academic programmes, centres of excellence, and an innovation hub that transforms research and development, innovation outputs, and intellectual property into commercial goods and services.

“We have five schools: Engineering and Technology, Allied Health Sciences, Industrial Sciences and Technology, Business and Management Sciences, and Information Science and Technology. Among these, we have specialised departments producing experts in fields such as cybersecurity, machine design, biomedical engineering, materials technology, polymer technology, and financial engineering, to name a few,” he said.

“HIT is part of a national and international ecosystem, guided by fundamental social, economic, legal, philosophical, and geopolitical principles that drive our work as a technological institution.”

Prof Eng Chamunorwa stated that HIT now offers the highest number of computing and engineering disciplines at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Zimbabwe.

“We have produced more than 6,000 graduates in the ICT sector, who are now key players in driving Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda. Due to our shared vision and goals, Potraz remains a valued partner, enabling meaningful contributions to national development,” he said.