Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Research Council of Zimbabwe has been challenged to be innovative and come up with ground-breaking researches that help in addressing some of the challenges being faced by the country and develop the economy, a senior Government official has said.
Director in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Wing Commander Bekhithemba Bhebhe said this while addressing the Research Council of Zimbabwe’s strategic plan review and planning workshop in Nyanga recently, where he added that the council should deliver its mandate of managing the research ecosystem that positively impacts on the economy.
Wing Commander Bhebhe also said Research Council of Zimbabwe should collaborate with both local institutions and companies, while exploring other potential partnerships with foreign bodies to bring about positive outcomes.
“As Government, we hold a deep commitment to ensuring that research, science, technology, and innovation system in Zimbabwe contributes significantly to the development of human capabilities.
“Science and technology are critical drivers of socio-economic progress and the research ecosystem is a key enabler of this transformation. We as Government, expect results.
“The people of Zimbabwe expect the Research Council of Zimbabwe to deliver its mandate to manage the research ecosystem in such a way that it creates jobs, fosters innovation and promotes economic development.
“An area that requires our collective attention is the creation of sustainable research value chains that leverage Zimbabwe’s unique heritage and push forward the industrialisation agenda.
“The development of these value chains will be central will be central to transforming our economy and its essential that RCZ plays a leading role in identifying, nurturing and scaling up these opportunities. Government fully supports efforts that seek to enhance Zimbabwe’s competitive edge in key research areas such as agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy and information technology.
“It is equally important for RCZ to continue to build strategic partnerships with national and international stakeholders. Partnerships with global players from both the Global North and other African countries will be instrumental in securing funding, accessing technology and expanding Zimbabwe’s research capacity,” said Wing Commander Bhebhe.
Research Council of Zimbabwe board chairperson, Professor Zororo Muranda said they are guided by the National Development Strategy (NDS1) blueprint which behoves everyone to work towards the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030.
“Research and innovation play an important role in the attainment of this vision. As a council, we cannot fail in delivering our mandate and the business of the council should have a positive impact on society from where the mandate of the society comes from.
“In 2025, RCZ is committed to the creation of a private and public sector collaboration on the issue of research and development.
“Creation of fruitful international relations and successful creation and incubation of research councils to spearhead Zimbabwe’s development through the adaptation of Science.
“There will also be the funding of demand-driven research, establishment of the National Research Database of Zimbabwe,” said Professor Muranda.
