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It is my distinguished honour and pleasure to address this inaugural National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Conference. The fact that this platform has brought together all stakeholders to engage in the intricate linkages between sustainable development and research, science, technology and innovation, is commendable.

It shows me that you, the people and institutions here gathered, are ready to take our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, to the next level of modernisation and industrialisation, riding on our country’s human and natural resource capacities. Well done for heeding to our calls that “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”.

At the outset I want to commend the Research Council of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, and other stakeholders for organising this important Conference. Such dialogues and partnerships are invaluable for leaping forward, our multi-pronged national development agenda.

The theme of the Conference; “Coordinating and Promoting Research Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030 and Beyond,” is appropriate. This provides scope for the development of strategies that must scale up high-impact research outputs for addressing the present and future socio- economic and scientific needs of our nation.

In this regard, there is a need for the Research Council of Zimbabwe to re-invent itself as an apex organisation, more so in the context of a robust and ever-expanding research, science, technology and innovation ecosystem.

However, under my leadership, no institution or individual has the monopoly of research and inventions. It is this principle that saw the creation of an enabling research and invention environment, resulting in the reconfiguration of our education system, to Education 5.0. as well as the creation of Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks.

This has in- turn unleashed the research potential of our young boys and girls, with unprecedented success milestones scored to date.

As outlined in the National Development Strategy, I expect the commercialisation of intellectual property through a coordinated, harmonious and effective research output value-chain. To further accelerate our country’s modernisation and industrialisation we should never work in silos. Singleness of purpose and seamless co-operation as well as structured academia -industry collaborations, are critically important.

Research outputs must feed into our growing industries and industry must equally inform, guide and request research into pertinent industrial priorities towards improving production and productivity as well as the range of products and services. To the private sector, industry, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, I urge you not to be by-standers, jump on to this moving train; partner and support researchers, innovators and inventors.

Going forward, all sectors, including Government, must consume the outputs coming from our research and innovation ecosystem.

Distinguished Delegates;

I challenge the Research Council of Zimbabwe and all stakeholders in the research and innovation space, to be engaged in transformative research that improves resilience among our communities and a higher quality of life for our people. Gone are the days where researchers would research “why grasshoppers freeze in winter”. Research must be correctly contextualised into our present national needs, realities and development priorities.

Partnerships and synergies with other regional and global professional bodies and centres of excellence are equally encouraged to enhance your work; where possible, we should not re- invent the wheel.

Scientific inquiry across priority areas such as agriculture, mining, healthcare, nutrition, transportation, safety and security as well as climate change and space science, among other fields, are welcome.

Further, research should never be treated as an end in itself. The “publish or perish syndrome”, without regard for the effectiveness of research in addressing critical issues of human development and progress, is not acceptable. The tendency among researchers and institutions to operate in relative isolation from one another, thus failing to benefit from the synergies and collaborative approach to research, should now be a thing of the past.

As the adage goes ‘Njere moto dzinogokwa’, I, therefore, urge you to seek to learn from your peers, other institutions and communities, as well as progressive jurisdictions and cultures to master technologies, while adapting them to our local conditions.

This is more so as research outcomes, goods, products and services emanating from collaborative research and development often have a better chance of effectively competing on regional and global markets. Sustained linkages amongst stakeholders, including research and industry also ensure the continuation of the culture of innovation and learning.

However, stakeholders are called upon to adopt strategies and models which build greater national research self-reliance and autonomy. A balance must be reached between external perspectives and approaches with our heritage-based and locally generated science, technology and innovation. We must remain Zimbabwean and African in our thoughts and deeds. This is a key ingredient for economic growth, modernisation, industrialisation and overall global competitiveness.

Through research and innovation efforts, Zimbabwe must realise industrialisation in Tsholotsho, Binga, Muzarabani, Chipinge, Kanyemba, among other areas.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I exhort the Research Council of Zimbabwe and stakeholders to apply corrective measures to address shortcomings in the sector. The proposals to usher in a new era of results-driven and high-impact research excellence are welcome and should be pursued by all. The ongoing realignment of the organisational structure of the Council must remain in sync with the present thrust of the Second Republic and national development imperatives. We should not be creating a multiplicity of structures and bloated bureaucracy which does not deliver.

Meanwhile, my Government will continue to support the sector to address resource and infrastructure gaps, among other needs. I exhort the private sector to also come on board and support this research and development drive.

The registration and curation of all research in Zimbabwe must also be urgently undertaken.

Equally, efforts to strengthen the national capacity for managing intellectual property generated within the country are a priority. Legal minds must come on board and protect all outputs of our research and innovation revolution.

Meanwhile, it is pleasing to note that our education sector is prioritising continuous curriculum review, with emphasis on developing skills and competencies in science, technology, innovation, engineering and mathematics. This lays a sound foundation for a scholarship culture, critical thinking, objective analysis and problem-solving among our students.

I expect that the education review processes, coupled with effective research spaces, will see our young talented boys and girls having broader access to a robust research and development ecosystem. It is this approach that will catalyse the realisation of our full national potential and prosperity.

I call on the media to play its part and transition from merely reporting on the establishment of innovation hubs and industrial parks. Buildings do not deliver products and services. Instead, the media must unpack and enlighten our societies of the specific innovations and how these will change and impact the lives of our people, village by village; city by city as and the national economy as a whole.

In conclusion, I once again commend the Research Council of Zimbabwe and its stakeholders for successfully organising this inaugural edition of the National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Conference.

The outcomes of this collective effort must inspire you all to play your part in the successful development and implementation of national policies, programmes and projects, across all sectors.

With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the inaugural National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Conference officially opened. I wish you all insightful deliberations.

Among the participants is Acting Chief Mabhikwa, who has presented opening remarks.

He says the community has heard a lot about Lake Gwayi Shangani but they have not been properly engaged.

Acting Chief Mabhikwa says reports have been coming from the Government which in some instances have left the community shocked.

He says communities want information gaps on the project to be addressed so that it is embraced by communities.