Online Reporter
Mutsawashe Mashandure and Spiwe Sarakunze
At least 70 students are set to leave the country on Monday for India to study at Centurion University under the Presidential Scholarship Programme.
The Office of the President and Cabinet is collaborating with the Indian Embassy in an initiative aimed at advancing Zimbabwe’s economic development by 2030.
The students will pursue courses in car manufacturing and garment making, marking a crucial step toward enhancing the country’s technical skill set.
Coordinated by the Presidential and National Scholarship Department, the programme aims to equip the next generation with essential skills to transform local industries.
The initiative seeks to provide students from various technical sectors with invaluable skills that align with national development goals.
At the send-off ceremony yesterday, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane, said it was critical for the education system to adapt to meet the national development objectives.
“We want to say let there be a change as well, a change which brings better skills. Our major challenge is not so much that we are not literate, but it is because there is a need to go beyond just literacy to a skill set that is more productive,.
Rev Damasane added that for the attainment of an empowered upper-income economy by 2030, there is need to enhance efficiencies by acquiring skills-based competencies rather than relying solely on knowledge.
“In today’s action-driven economy, we must recognise the need for transformation. This team will focus on implementing these changes, driving our societies toward a more efficient future.”
Rev Damasane said the training that the programme beneficiaries will undergo, is expected to have a significant impact on society.
“When we train these people, we are not just training them; we are also giving them competencies that previously they did not have,” he said, emphasising that the beneficiaries of the scholarship will not only be doers, but will also train many others, creating a “domino effect”.
“Maybe you don’t play dominoes, but it is a cumulative multiplier effect,” he said.
Acting Secretary for Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Dr Blazio Manobo, stressed the importance of strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
“Beyond the technical skills you will acquire, this journey to India offers an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange.
“Immersing yourselves in a different culture will broaden your horizons, enhance your understanding of diverse perspectives, and foster a deeper appreciation for the richness of human experience,” said Dr Manobo.
Being in India would equip students with cutting-edge techniques, innovative methodologies and valuable insights to revolutionise vocational education in Zimbabwe.
Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dina Nath Barnwal, said the initiative fosters unity between the nations through exchange of ideas.
“As they are going to learn their skills studies, they are going to share crucial ideas that even after they finish, they will come and use those skills to develop Zimbabwe as well as India,” he said.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its potential for economic development by 2030.
Engineer Amos Tenga is set to enhance manufacturing skills, while engineering student Alois Tenga shared his excitement about studying transformer making at Centurion University.
“I am pleased to be selected; it is a challenge. We must work hard to achieve national goals and Vision 2030. I aim to return and build my country. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. I believe I can help Zimbabwe become an upper-middle-class nation by 2030,” he stated.
Another beneficiary, Sisa Dube, who will also study transformer making, said: “I am too excited to be one of the nominees. It’s a very good opportunity to learn about the industry and how things are done in India. So I will come back to improve our own so that we achieve our Vision 2030.”
