The International Conference on Industrial Automation (IConIA) organised by the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering department from 25-26 October, highlighted the importance of industrial automation in national development.
The conference was held under the theme, 'Consolidating Synergies between Research and Manufacturing for Industrial Development,' and was held under the following subthemes: process system technologies, industrial automation technologies, production technologies and energy technologies.
Emergent issues arising from the conference were on how innovation and process automation can impact positively on the revitalisation of industry; the development of agricultural solutions for developing countries; creation of optimized machineshops; rapid prototyping and nano-manufacturing with a focus on the feasibility and application of these technologies in manufacturing environments; and the development of renewable energy designs.
Vice Chancellor of the Harare Institute of Technology, Eng. Q.C. Kanhukamwe said the conference underscores the need for innovative Research and Development talent, and the use of industrial automation technology to solve challenging real-world problems. He added that the conference aims to harness practical and innovative research work, anchored on emerging technologies that can be implemented in the Zimbabwean manufacturing industries for sustainability and industrial transformation. The conference, he said was an important opportunity for constructive discussions, sharing of knowledge and entrepreneurial skills between renowned researchers, scientist, scholars, business people and policy makers.
Guest of Honour at the event,- Deputy Director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mr Bernard Manatsa commended the conference organisers for taking on board the country's economic blueprint, ZIMASSET; especially the clusters relating to growing the economy and value addition and beneficiation, and the resuscitation of the manufacturing sector.
"The theme of this conference resonates well with the objectives of the country's economic Blueprint; the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET), especially those relating to empowering the society and growing the economy through value addition to our resources and resuscitation of our manufacturing sector.
He indicated that Government was implementing several policies, strategies, and initiatives to improve competitiveness through industrial upgrade, innovation and automation. He mentioned progressive policies such as the Industrial Development Policy (currently under review), the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative; The Southern African Development Community's (SADC) industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063) and African Union Agenda 2063 on the strategic role of STEM in the industrialisation and modernisation of Africa.
"The initiatives are aimed at achieving manufacturing sector growth through advanced manufacturing technologies and innovations as drivers of the Zimbabwean economy," he said.
Mr Manatsa also highlighted that industrial automation is the key to economic growth and development. He added that engineers and technologists are strategically tasked to come up with research and relevant skills that are required to drive automation in both industry and commerce. He also added that there was need to move away from the dependency on the import of technologies created by other nations, which had led to the country's' reliance on archaic machinery.
He added that it remained important for the country to embrace new technologies, new curriculum and new thinking, in order to remain globally competitive. Mr Manatsa commended the University for inculcating innovation and creativity.
"It is heartening that the spirit of innovation is thriving among our universities. I am impressed by the putting together of this conference and it is encouraging to see the collaboration amongst institutions. This is a rich platform for keeping up with industrial development. Such research collaborations with industry have often led firms into new technologies and applications," he said.
In his keynote address, entitled, "Putting the creativity back into engineering education," UK based engineering academic, Dr Abel Nyamapfene called for the embrace of a multi –disciplinary approach to engineering, and the need to change the mode of instruction and delivery for engineering students. Dr Nyamapfene emphasized the need for a new skills set in engineering students, and that Universities have the central role of inculcating these skills important for the 21st century development. Such skills included critical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, people management, cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence among others.
Chairperson of the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe, Eng. Farai Mavhiya –Bhiza, who is also a member of the Institute Board at HIT called for closer collaboration in the implementation of research. She highlighted the pre-eminent role of engineering in the development of mankind and the need to adhere to engineering standards, in safeguarding the integrity of the profession.
Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and Institute Board Deputy Chairperson, Dr. Eng. Gloria Magombo pushed for the embrace of renewable energy technologies to ease demand on electricity and alleviate shortages in the sector.
