Zimpapers Logo

1. Historical Information and Mandate
THE Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) was established by the Government of Zimbabwe in February 1993 under the provision of the Research Act Chapter 10:22. The Centre falls under the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) which enables it to work with all ministries, departments and development agencies. The mandate of SIRDC includes:

• Carrying out strategic research and development (R&D) for the benefit of manufacturing, service, agricultural and mining sectors of Zimbabwe

• Collaborating with other local and international institutions and universities in strengthening local R&D capacity and its application to industrial processes

• Adapting imported technology to suit local needs

• Providing consultancy services to local and regional enterprises as well as international development agencies

• Promoting technological partnerships and quality culture in business

• Serving as a repository and disseminator of information on technology

• Providing advisory services to Government ministries and departments on technology issues
SIRDC policy direction and control are vested in a Board of Directors currently chaired by industrialist Mr Misheck Kachere. The Centre is headed by a Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board of Directors. The current CEO is Professor Robson Mafoti- a renowned chemist and inventor with over 100 triadic patents.

The R&D activities are carried out in twelve research institutes, each of which is headed by a Director. The Chief Executive Officer, Executive Directors and Directors constitute the Executive Management Committee of SIRDC responsible for policy implementation. The research institutes are the operational arms of SIRDC.

The research staff (scientists and engineers) in each institute report to their Director from whom they receive work assignments. SIRDC works in teams across multiple techno-business disciplines in line with the Stage Gate ® process — a concept that places emphasis on teamwork, effective communication and excellent compensation for employees. The research institutes and support departments are summarised below:

Research Institutes/Units
• Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI)

• Food and Biomedical Technology Institute (FBTI)

• Building Technology Institute (BTI)

• Energy Technology Institute (ETI)

• Production Engineering Institute (PEI)

• Environment Sciences Institute (ESI)

• Geo-Information & Remote Sensing Institute (GRSI)

• Electronics & Communication Institute (ECI)

• Informatics Institute (II)

• National Metrology Institute (NMI)

• Metallurgical Research Institute (MRI)

• Polymer Sciences Institute (PSI)

• Technology & Commercial Information Promotion System (TIPS)

• Food & Nutrition Council (FNC)

Support Departments
• Finance

• Purchasing

• Internal Audit

• Business Operations Unit (BOU)

• Farming Operations

• Estate Department

• Library

• Safety & Health

• Works, Physical Planning

• Cafeteria/ Conference Facility

• Transport

• Security

• Human Resources

• Communication, Information and Public Relations

2. Research Facilities Available:

2.1 Engineering Workshops:
• Production Engineering Institute (PEI)

• Building Technology Institute (BTI)

• Metallurgical Research Institute MRI)

• Electronics and Communication Institute (ECI)

• Energy Technology Institute (ETI)

2.2 Research Laboratories:
• Centre for Analytical and Testing Services (CATS)

• Informatics Institute (II)

• Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI)

• Food and Biomedical Technology Institute (FBTI)

• Geo-Information and Remote Sensing Institute (GRSI)

• Environmental Sciences Institute (ESI)

• National Metrology Institute (NMI)

3. Staff establishment: 340

4. SIRDC Partnerships
Selected past and current SIRDC partnerships are tabulated below:

Local

• Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)

• National University of Science and Technology (NUST)

• University of Zimbabwe (UZ)

• Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC)

• Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI)

• Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)

• Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU)

• LAFARGE Cement

• Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe

• Practical Action Southern Africa

• Business Council for Sustainable Development

• AFC Bank

International
• Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) RSA

• Botswana Institute of Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI)

• Danish Technology Institute (DTI) in cleaner Production

• South Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) through Korea Africa Food and Agricultural Cooperation

Initiative (KAFACI) and Korea Programme on International Agriculture (KOPIA)

• BioHelpYourPlanet (BHYP) –Italy

• Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) African Union (AU) Project being implemented in Zimbabwe and 50 other African States

• International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)

• Aqulogous Portugal

5. ZITF 2021 Expectations:
• Promote the visibility of SIRDC, its strategic business units (SBUs) and all related brands

• Promote SIRDC products and services to customers and stakeholders in Zimbabwe, the sub-region and beyond

• To receive feedback from customers on services we have delivered in the past

• To receive stakeholder needs/challenges that SIRDC is expected to work on

6. COVID 19 Mitigation:
• Online service delivery (training, advisory services)

• Temperature checks, sanitisation (buildings, hands, feet) and social distancing

• 100 percent staff vaccination

Registered Office
Scientific & Industrial Research & Development Centre
1574 Alpes Road; Hatcliffe; P.O. Box 6640
HARARE, Zimbabwe
Telephone    263 4 860356
Tele/fax    263 4 860350/51
Mobile    263 772 149120
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Lawyers
Dube, Manikai & Hwacha Legal Practitioners
Gold Bridge; East Gate; Harare
Independent Auditors
KLM Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe)
42 Ray Amm Rd; Eastlea, HARARE

Bankers
Standard Chartered Bank
Borrowdale Branch
PO Box BW 295
HARARE
Zimbabwe
Key Contacts:

Name:
Prof Robson Mafoti

Position:
Interim Vice Chancellor-Pan African Minerals University of Science and Technology (PAMUST) and SIRDC CEO

Contact:
+263 4 860356
[email protected]

Key Contacts:
Name:
Dr Leonard Madzingaidzo
Position:
Interim Chief Executive Officer — SIRDC
Contact:
+263 4 860355
[email protected]

Key Contacts:
Name:
Mrs Gladys Mudyahoto
Position:
Executive Director — Finance & Administration
Contact:
+263 4 860353
[email protected]

Tel: +263-4-860356 Fax: +263-4-860350-1
Scientific & Industrial Research & Development Centre
1574 Alpes Road, PO Box 6640; Harare, Zimbabwe;
www.sirdc.ac.zw