Wellington Dengu, Harare Bureau
University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo yesterday heaped praises on the institution’s four students who recently won US$20 000 after coming first in an online competition with their application called Amigo online that helps O and A-Level students to access books on the internet.
The students first participated in the national Generation Unlimited National Co-Creation contest in 2018 that was organised by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in Harare and they won.
They then progressed to the international version of the contest online against 800 participants from 16 countries and they again came first and received the US$20 000.
The four are Farai Goronga, Brighton Mahachi, Simbarashe Duane Andrea who are all final year electrical engineering students and Blessing Mau Maunze, a final year law student.
Professor Mapfumo said the students are an investment to the nation at large as they have managed to solve the challenges faced by most students in the country.
“To have such brilliant students at our institution is a very positive development because it clearly shows that learning is taking place.
“Their success in different competitions means that the knowledge they are gaining is being used to create industries in pursuit of President Mnangagwa’s vision 2030.”
“We are working with the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO), African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to have researches of our students protected,” he said.
The students thanked the nation and their institution for granting them an opportunity to showcase their capabilities.
“When we launched this application we never thought that it will have such a positive response. We extend our sincere thanks to the nation and the UZ for this opportunity.”
“Our future is bright and we want to upgrade our application so that it benefits universities nationally, regionally and internationally.
“After college we want to open a company and create employment for many youths out there and teach them how to be innovative,” said Goronga on behalf of the students.