BY – FAISAL IQBAL | VICTORIA FALLS | 29 JUNE 2026
VICTORIA FALLS — Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Hon. Simelisiswe Sibanda, has called for stronger collaboration between industry and universities to drive Zimbabwe’s transition to Industry 5.0 and support sustainable industrial growth.
Addressing the Industry-Academia Session convened by the Chamber this week, Deputy Minister Sibanda described the platform as “timely” for strengthening partnerships needed to build a competitive economy.
Education Must Match Industry Needs
The Deputy Minister said Zimbabwe’s education system must remain responsive to the changing demands of industry.
He noted that the country has moved beyond mechanisation and automation and is now in the era of Industry 5.0.
“In this era, competitiveness depends not only on technological advancement but also on a workforce capable of innovation, creativity, critical thinking, and solving complex industrial and societal challenges,” he said.
Education 5.0 and Skills Priorities
Hon. Sibanda reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the Education 5.0 philosophy, which aims to produce graduates who are innovators, entrepreneurs, and job creators, rather than job seekers.
He identified four critical areas for closer academia-private sector collaboration: curriculum alignment, industry-driven research, commercialisation of innovation, and digital skills development.
The Deputy Minister encouraged industry to commission applied research by presenting real challenges for universities to solve. He also urged higher learning institutions to speed up the translation of research findings into commercially viable products and technologies.
Competitiveness Through Innovation
He concluded that Zimbabwe’s long-term competitiveness will hinge on its ability to harness innovation, strengthen academia-industry partnerships, and build a highly skilled workforce capable of driving industrialisation and creating sustainable prosperity.
Source: ZNCC National Office
