1,632 Student Graduated At Harare Polytechnic

Graduates from technical colleges have been urged to take advantage of the Government's indigenisation and economic empowerment policies to start businesses. Speaking at a graduation and prize-giving ceremony at Harare Polytechnic yesterday, Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education Dr Washington Mbizvo also urged technical colleges to play a leading role in designing and producing their own products to boost the socio-economic status of the country.

At least 1 632 students graduated with certificates and diplomas in various disciplines at the colourful ceremony held at the college.

"To the graduands, you should be able to use the knowledge acquired throughout the learning period and start your own businesses rather than having the country relying on imports when there are some of you who can manufacture the same products on a local level," said Dr Mbizvo.

He said it was important that colleges work on re-shaping knowledge systems to produce highly qualified technicians, artisans and officers who would drive the economy by industrialising the country.

"Colleges such as Harare Polytechnic now need operational changes linked to strategic changes since the principal driver of economic growth, industrial growth and indeed personal growth is basically to change and to adapt to new ways of doing things, new curriculum with revised content, new methods with revised pedagogic and new ways of learning," said Dr Mbizvo.

He applauded the college for adapting to competence based training which he said was relevant and effective for linking education and training programmes to professions and job market.

Dr Mbizvo encouraged graduates to take up challenges and look for finance from Government to expand their projects. He urged staff to partake in competence based training which empowers lecturers and trainers with new changing systems and methodologies.

"There is need to embark on vigorous staff development programmes, workshops and seminars so that they can believe in the increasing demand for new knowledge and skills," said Dr Mbizvo.

"Let them interface with new technology quality systems of delivery and curriculum innovations so that they shift from long term traditions and assumptions to modern and broader array of pathways."

The graduates comprised 996 males and 638 females