In a landmark move to advance healthcare education and research, the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) and INTI International University & Colleges of Malaysia have formalised a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to establish a pioneering dual medical education model that combines Western medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and African traditional healing practices.
The agreement, signed by the HIT Vice Chancellor Professor Eng. Q.C. Kanhukamwe, and a senior representative from INTI International University, sets the stage for a transformative approach to healthcare training in Zimbabwe and across Africa. Recognising the urgent need for a versatile healthcare workforce, the partnership will develop integrated curricula, shared facilities, and joint research initiatives.
Central to the MoU is the creation of two faculties. The Faculty of Western Medicine and the Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The initiative envisions a curriculum infused with technological innovation, such as AI-assisted diagnostics, digital health records, and biomedical engineering, aimed at producing healthcare professionals proficient in multiple modalities.
The collaboration emphasises mutual respect and integration of diverse healing systems, fostering cross-disciplinary learning and research. Notably, the programme will include student and faculty exchanges with Chinese institutions like Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, ensuring international standards and cultural exchange.
State-of-the-art facilities are also part of the plan, including a Central Medical Library, simulation centres, and dedicated labs for both Western and Chinese medicine practices. There are plans to establish a TCM teaching hospital on or near the campus, strengthening clinical training and community health services.
The MoU outlines a rigorous path to accreditation by local bodies, such as the Medical and Dental Professions Council of Zimbabwe, as well as the pursuit of international recognition from organisations like the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
The partnership is set for an initial term of ten years, with the possibility of renewal and extension. Both parties retain the flexibility to collaborate further with other institutions, fostering a dynamic and expanding network of healthcare innovation.
This MoU marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to enhance healthcare education, leveraging international expertise and traditional knowledge to build a more inclusive, effective, and innovative healthcare system for Africa.
INTI International University & Colleges, a renowned private Malaysian institution ranked 509 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and affiliated with the Hope Education Group, brings significant academic heft to the partnership. The FTCM curriculum will be developed in close collaboration with a leading Chinese University of TCM, ensuring international standards.
INTI is part of the Laureate International Universities network, which spans 30 countries across 4 continents and is the largest and fastest-growing global network of private universities. It is one of the largest education groups in Malaysia, with 5 campuses across the country.
