PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said his Government
was aware and is gravely concerned by the manipulation of the economy by a
group of people and some businesses aimed at destabilising the market through
creation of artificial shortages and a black market economy.
Speaking at the 17th Bindura University of Science and
Technology graduation ceremony in Bindura yesterday, President Mnangagwa warned
those peddling false news on the social media.
He said the net was closing in on them. “We also note the wanton peddling of false news through
social media to cause despondency and alarm among the people.
“We are now certain and clear of the personalities behind
these wicked and criminal activities and the net is closing in on them. We will
soon name, shame and bring to book these gluttonous individuals and companies.”
President Mnangagwa said the country would leapfrog to a
modern society through inculcating scientific mind-sets and the timely
dissemination of appropriate information as well as publishing relevant
research findings.
“I therefore call upon both the print and electronic media
to educate the public about the value of Science education and scientific
thinking in the world of today and the future.
“Institutions of higher learning such as this one must play
a leading role in this regard. Government will on its part be receptive to
solid scientific research outcomes.”
President Mnangagwa said there was need to demystify the
belief that science subjects were difficult.
He said the country should encourage the promotion of
learning of natural, biological and social sciences from early childhood.
“Bindura University must churn out graduates who are
prepared and determined to ignite a science education revolution in Zimbabwe.
“To that end, we must begin to capacitate students to
develop unconventional teaching methods which bolster scientific thinking and
inculcates new scientific knowledge to learners at every level of the education
system. Our interaction, service to the community, seminars, workshops and
research studies must equally mirror an institution which is passionate to
fulfil its mandate of providing world class science education which will propel
our modernisation agenda.”
The President said the university should leverage on its
location in Mashonaland Central to contribute to the province’s Gross Domestic
Product.
“I therefore, exhort the university and graduates to use
the skills and knowledge acquired from this institution to explore and exploit
the wide array of natural resources that remain untapped and meaningfully
contribute to the provincial Gross Domestic Product.
“It is indeed now time for an education system which is
productive and responsive to our country’s socio-economic realities,” said
President Mnangagwa.
A total of 1 719 students, 878 males and 841 females
graduated with degrees from five faculties.
Among the graduates were Zimpapers employees Nduduzo
Tshuma, Prosper Ndlovu and ShamisoYikoniko, who graduated with Masters of
Science in International Relations degrees.
Speaking at the same occasion the Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Eddie Mwenje, said the university scored a number of success during
the 2017/18 academic year.
“Bindura University is leading a national project funded by
the European Union to the tune of 38 387 Euro under the Biodiversity
Information for Development (BID) programme.
“The programme seeks, among other goals, to catalogue,
digitise and publish species records for non-timber forest products.”
The university also signed the Global Biodiversity
Information Facility (GBIF) Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Zimbabwe
and represents the country on the International Governing Board.
It also received a grant worth $350 000 from the Regional
Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).
“The grant will allow the research team to expand work on
use of tied contour rain water harvesting system in small grain and legume
production for improved household food security, nutrition and
income-generation in semi-arid smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe.
“The university received funding from the International
Foundation for Science for the expansion of work in flood recession cropping in
Muzarabani area.
“It also received international recognition when the
Institution was nominated to host the African Alliance for Disaster Research
Institutes (AADRI).
“The alliance seeks to deepen the understanding of
disasters and find implementable solutions to achieve disaster resilience; for
example human, technical system and infrastructure resilience, survivability
and well-being, by integrating knowledge and technologies from around the
continent.” Herald
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