I welcome Board Members, Management, the Senate, Staff and Student representatives to this our last Board meeting of the year. Let me start by expressing my appreciation of the evocative support I got from Harare Institute of Technology community which resulted in my nomination as the Chairperson of the Year, Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions by the Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe (ICDZ). I was greatly humbled by the award which is testimony to the team work without which the award would not have been possible.
2019 was both a hectic and challenging year for the University. I want to applaud you all for your focus and commitment to the University.
I understand that there will be a new reporting format for all Public Entities which is informed by the tenets of the Integrate Results Based Management (IRBM) which will be implemented early next year. The Board and Management will have to meet as soon as the Template is made available to align the Strategic Plan of the University to this new requirement. Thereafter, Management Reports to the Board will be in accordance with that format.
The Government of Zimbabwe is currently seized with the alignment of a number of laws. It is prudent that as an institution, we take all the necessary steps to ensure we are aligned in all that we do.
The Government is looking to revolutionarise the economy through its Developmental Agenda, Vision 2030 which is focusing on developing an upper middle class economy and central to that Vision, is the modernisation and industrialisation of our economy. The Harare Institute of Technology is invariably, a key player in this Agenda more so, as its Mandate which is to develop, incubate, transfer and commercialise technology clearly reinforces the very same developmental areas that the Government is seized with. The University needs to up its game so that we take leadership in this as we execute the Mandate. Harare Institute of Technology should leave no stone unturned as it runs with this national Agenda and ensures that the University delivers to expectation.
I reiterate my appreciation of the staying power displayed by all units of the University in these challenging times and hope that 2020 will bring about a less punishing operating environment so that we can all do our respective roles to deliver on the Mandate and the National Developmental Agenda.
Allow me to congratulate all those members of staff who during the course of 2019, lifted the Harare Institute of Technology flag high through successful and noteworthy participation in national projects.
I wish you all a good festive season. May God bless you.
Thank you