By Shadreck Gurenje

President Mnangagwa has said as the Second Republic journey towards an innovation-led and knowledge-based economy, it is important that the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development re-look at all innovations to channel them for commercialization in a systematic manner.

Giving his keynote address at Presidential Innovation Awards, President Mnangagwa said his administration recognises that it is only through the requisite and increased investments in new technologies, science and innovation that Zimbabwe can accelerate the ongoing transformation towards Vision 2030.

“As you are well aware, our nation, like the rest of the world, has entered an era, in which digital and Artificial Intelligence tools are central to scaling up the positive impact of technologies. On its part my government recognises that it is only through the requisite and increased investments in new technologies, science and innovation that Zimbabwe can accelerate the ongoing transformation towards Vision 2030.

“It is my expectation that the education ecosystem, and the private sector will deepen their collaboration to build a successful innovation ecosystem.

“This should remain anchored on sustainable mentorship programmes, co-funding arrangements and the support for award-winning prototypes into viable start-ups, industries and services exports. Our country must expand such models, so that our graduates leave our institutions not only with knowledge, but with market-ready products and viable businesses, "said President Mnangagwa.

 President Mnangagwa also urges all those in innovation, research, scientific and technological ecosystem, to be more proactive.

“I urge you all, within this innovation, research, scientific and technological ecosystem, to be more proactive. Other entities in industry and the manufacturing sector, along with those in the Creative Cultural Industry as well as small and medium enterprises, are also encouraged to register their patents to protect our proudly Zimbabwean brands, products and intellectual property.

“Ministries, Departments and Agencies, responsible for matters related to Intellectual Property Rights are called upon to facilitate and guide in the filing, registration and protection of property rights, "said President Mnangagwa. 

President also challenged the education sector to build on the efforts of the Second Republic in terms of human capital, infrastructure, material and equipment to drive the innovation thrust.

“I challenge our education sector to build on the efforts of the Second Republic, under my leadership. These have seen our institutions being resourced, in terms of human capital, infrastructure, material and equipment, to drive this new thrust. Educators at every level, should be innovative and intentionally adapt to the new knowledge and skills associated with cutting edge science and technological developments.

“Further, Institutions of Higher Learning including those privately owned, must scale up their role in the transfer of knowledge and skills to the productive sectors.

“Avenues such as technology development, adaptation and transfer, business support, consultancy and continuous education, for industry stakeholders, should be keenly pursued as we re-tool, upgrade and up-skill the national workforce," said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa also reiterated that innovation is not a privilege for a few but a responsibility for everyone to grow the nation. 

“The work of nation-building requires imagination and the will to act. Let us convert ideas into companies, prototypes into exports, and a wider range of products and services that benefit the majority of the people. In celebrating today’s winners, let us remember that innovation is not a privilege for a few, it is a responsibility for all. “Every sector, every community, and every young Zimbabwean must believe that their idea can make a difference. Together, we must build a nation that manufactures, creates, and exports; a Zimbabwe where prosperity is born from what we build ourselves, ”said President Mnangagwa.