President Mnangagwa has commissioned the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) Innovation Hub after touring the Institute’s start-up projects, applauding the University for contributing to the fight against Covid-19 through the production of prototype ventilators and various personal protective equipment.
Speaking at the official launch and opening of the Innovation Hub at the HIT campus, the President and HIT Chancellor Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said the opening of the Innovation Hub attests to his administration’s unwavering support and determination to deliver on Vision 2030 through the twin pillars of modernisation and industrialisation.
“HIT has embarked and demonstrated on an initiative that is embracing the internet of things (IOT), big data and artificial intelligence among others, to proffer technological solutions to various sectors of the economy,” the President said.
The President also applauded HIT for contributing to the national fight against COVID-19 through the production of prototype ventilators and other personal protective equipment.
He also welcomed the development of Local Authorities Digital Systems (LADS) by the institution which seeks to enhance service delivery.
“The Local Authorities Digital Systems (LADS) works as a performance barometer, adds impetus to our devolution and equalisation agenda.”
“HIT is equally applauded for contributing to our national fight against Covid-19 through the production of prototype ventilators and other PPEs. This trajectory and inventions by HIT coupled with ongoing efforts of their Biomedical Engineering degree will advance our quest to manufacture homegrown high-end healthcare equipment,” he said.
Harare Institute of Technology has been developing an array of home grown information communication technology applications, systems and start-ups in response to specific technological needs of various government departments and institutions.
To date, HIT has produced the ZUPCO and Public Service Commission’s tap-card payment system, the national fuel management and smart card system, the bureau de change payment system that allows the RBZ to monitor foreign currency trading in real time, and the local authorities digital system to enhance service delivery.
“The manufacturing of transformers by HIT propels our thrust to increase access to electricity for our communities particularly those in rural and new resettlement areas. The university is congratulated for the development of vehicle number plates with the requisite national security features. This appropriate intervention is in line with our import substitution strategy and will ease the backlog at the vehicle registration cent re. Let us deliberately exploit highly qualified, machine designers, here at HIT to manufacture appropriate technologies for all sectors of the economy,” said the President.
He urged the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency to facilitate investments in higher education.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira said the colonial design of education had not taken the country out of hunger and poverty. “The main weapon used by colonial designs is diversion that makes us avoid doing the actual processes that access national development through teaching our people approaches and methods for the eradication of hunger and poverty.
“Our education 5.0 which includes teaching, research, innovation, industrialisation and community service is already producing desired results.
“Your Excellency, the HIT Innovation Hub you are officially launching today is your brainchild and we are pleased that its happening. It is clear that our universities are walking your vision of imparting knowledge that produces goods and services in order for the country to attain an upper middle income status,” Prof Murwira said.
HIT Vice Chancellor Engineer Quinton Kanhukamwe said the innovation hub was one of the projects the institution had completed after taking a phased approach in the establishment of the Hi-Tech Development Valley, a deliberate strategic thrust linked to the university’ s innovation and commercialisation agenda.
