The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has signed a partnership agreement with the Harare Institute of Technology to establish and promote research and scientific collaborations as well as conducting knowledge exchange and developing technologies that are mutually beneficial for both parties.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Commander Defence Forces General Phillip Valerio Sibanda and HIT Vice Chancellor Engineer Q.C Kanhukamwe on Tuesday 18 February 2020 at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces House in Harare.
The two parties agreed to work together, encourage and promote collaborative research in engineering technology in areas that include metallurgy, aeronautical, mechanical, instrumentation, computer systems, software engineering, computer forensic and cyber security training, solar energy systems, food engineering and processing technology, agricultural engineering, clothing technology, Technoprenuership training as well as in other areas of cooperation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Commander Defence Forces General Phillip Valerio Sibanda said that this said the partnership will be critical in solving challenges faced by the nation through innovation. “This partnership presents an excellent opportunity to collaborate in the areas of academic exchange and study as we seek to capacitate our staff with requisite knowledge and skills. It is a giant step towards our aspirations for a relevant and sustainable research and development programme and is full of promise,” said Gen Sibanda.
General Sibanda said the military plays an important role in national development. “The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and HIT have common values and a shared vision towards achieving a sustainable national development. It is on this understanding that together we will be able to resolve challenges and problems affecting our great nation through invention and innovation.
“Historically, the world over, the military has played a key role in national development through research and development. This has been made possible through collaboration with institutions of higher learning, industry and commerce. The ZDF is and should not be an exception, hence this partnership that we are entering into today. It is my hope that this MoU will commit our two institutions to closely work together and I am confident that this partnership will keep us abreast with the technology curve by developing new products and services as well as improving on existing ones,” said the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General P.V Sibanda.
HIT Vice Chancellor Eng. Q.C Kanhukamwe commended the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for seeking this partnership adding that HIT will mobilise its resources, manpower and intellectual capacity to various research projects in partnership with the ZDF.
“The signing and establishment of this Memorandum of Understanding is of course a great success and achievement for the Harare Institute of Technology and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. We greatly appreciate the establishment of this MoU to promote research, the exchange of ideas and knowledge as well as establishing common research themes that will lead to innovative research outcomes. I reaffirm the commitment of HIT to further broaden the scope of our cooperation,” said Eng. Q.C Kanhukamwe.
