A delegation from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) is currently touring the United States to learn from leading American universities and libraries on how they promote innovation, protect intellectual property, and support entrepreneurship and technology transfer efforts.
The delegation, comprising HIT’s Librarian Mr Macdonald Nhakura, and the Director of the Technology Transfer and Licensing and Commercialization Centre(TTLCC), Engineer Lodrina Ngaakudzwe Ngorima Masiyazi, was awarded a grant to participate in the International Visitors Leadership Programme.
The two-week project, titled “Advancing Research and Technology Transfer – A Project for Zimbabwe”, began on July 12th and will conclude on July 29th.
The pair will also investigate new models encouraging students, faculty, and the broader community to bring their inventions and innovations to the commercial market through effective technology transfer practices. “Libraries play a critical role in supporting the research, innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems at universities,” said Mr. Nhakura. “We’re eager to learn from the best practices of our counterparts in the United States and find ways to apply those lessons to strengthen these important functions at our institutions in Zimbabwe.”
Eng. Lodrina Masiyazi highlighted the importance of commercializing intellectual property and bringing new technologies and products to market as a key driver of economic growth. “We want to understand how American universities have developed robust technology transfer offices and programs to nurture student and faculty innovations,” added Eng. Masiyazi.
During their three-week programme, the HIT delegation will visit leading U.S. universities in Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Orlando, where they will meet with librarians, technology transfer officers, entrepreneurs, and faculty to gain insights into innovative approaches and models that could be replicated in Zimbabwe.
The exchange programme has been praised by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Mr. Tadeous Chifamba. “This exchange programme is a tremendous opportunity for our country,” he said. “By learning from the American experience, Mr. Nhakura and Eng. Masiyazi will help strengthen libraries and technology transfer’s vital role in driving research, innovation, and economic development in Zimbabwe.”
The project aligns with HIT’s mandate to develop, incubate, transfer, and commercialise technology for the country’s rapid industrialisation, which is part of the Heritage-Based philosophy and Education 5.0 pillars of innovation and industrialization. The delegation’s findings are expected to inform strategies for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship at HIT and driving economic growth in Zimbabwe.
The visit also included a meeting with the Zimbabwean embassy in Washington D.C. where the delegation had the opportunity to discuss their project and its potential impact on Zimbabwe’s development.
