His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chancellor of the Harare Institute of Technology, Cde R.G. Mugabe conferred Bachelor of Technology Honours degrees to 347 graduands at the University’s Seventh Graduation Ceremony held on Thursday 20 October.
Of the 347 graduands, 119 were from the School of Engineering Technology, 59 from the School of Industrial Sciences and Technology, 112 from the School of Information Sciences and Technology and 57 from the School of Business and Management Sciences. The 347 graduands represent an 8, 4% increase from last year’s figure of 320; with female graduands constituting 31, 4% of the graduating class.
In his address, HIT Vice Chancellor, Engineer Quinton Kanhukamwe said the Institute is developing and incubating technopreneurs that are expected to play a vital role in the knowledge economy that Zimbabwe is growing. This, he said, was evident through the robust research and innovation initiatives by students and their excellence at various competitive fora at national, regional and global level. Of note is the Energy Globe National Award presented to HIT student, Clive Nyapokoto for his Vermicompost –Vermi –Aquaponics System project, the success by HIT students at the inaugural Water and Sanitation hackathon where they emerged champions and the recognition of HIT student Kudzai Chasinda at the Google Developer Community Summit in San Francisco among others.
Eng. Kanhukamwe highlighted that the University had successfully filed seven patents, six utility models, four industrial designs and 72 copyrightable application packages. "We believe that critical to the research initiatives of our students and staff, is the need to protect our intellectual property both for the benefit of innovators, the university and the nation," he said.
The Vice Chancellor also added that HIT required business and industrial partners; and other organisations, both private and public to commercialise innovative technologies.
Eng. Kanhukamwe paid tribute to countries that support the University in research, technology and human capital development that include India, Turkey, Iran, China and Korea.
The Vice Chancellor applauded President Mugabe for introducing the Psycho-motor Ministry which he said was important in skills development and technoprenurial proficiency required to drive reverse engineering and design elements in polytechnics. He added that HIT is also working with various ministries to ensure national development.
While calling for increased funding for the University’s infrastructure, Eng Kanhukamwe acknowledged the financial support from the parent Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development which was utilised for the up-scaling and commercialisation of some of the infrastructural projects, the acquisition of machinery and laboratory equipment.
Some of the graduands interviewed expressed their commitment to use and consolidate the innovation and technopreneurial skills they have learnt for national development.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Deputy Minister Dr Godfrey Gandawa, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Cde Miriam Chikukwa, Minister of State Security in the President's Office, Cde Kembo Mohadi, HIT Board Chairperson Dr Gibson Mandishona and the Institute Board attended the event. Other dignitaries included Vice Chancellors from other universities; foreign envoys and the corporate sector.