The University of Zimbabwe Strategic Plan 2019-2025 sets out to guide the University community and partners on a transformative pathway to the delivery of goods and services towards industrialization and modernization of Zimbabwe. The Strategic Plan is underpinned by the philosophy of Kuziva/Ukwazi (deep understanding and consciousness) neKugona/lokwenelisa (being strategic and competent in execution), which will propel the University to a global level of recognition as a centre for research, innovation and higher education training, delivering relevant, cost-effective and timeous solutions to industry, commerce and society: to deliver the Zimbabwean populace from poverty. Through KuzivaneKugona, the Strategic Plan speaks to our stakeholders by opening 'avenues' for conducting cutting- edge research, driven by a clear understanding of the needs, wants and circumstances of our people, knowing what we want to cause (e.g. new generation of companies and industries), and most importantly, how we can organize our brain power to come up with innovative models, methodologies, tools, strategies and policies that trigger technological advancement for modernisation of the Zimbabwean economy.
This Strategic Plan is outcome-based, and ushers in a new thinking and design language around the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development’s Education 5.0 model. It re-defines university business, clearly situating universities as the "Rails" upon which the “Wheels" of Socio-Economic Development (i.e. industry and commerce) move. The genesis of this strategy, is with the full knowledge and understanding that strategic partnerships and engagement of diverse stakeholders including, the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, international organizations, industry and commerce are critical in the pursuit and realisation of the National Vision 2030. Furthermore, the Strategic Plan puts emphasis on critical thinking, creativity and innovation, and problem-solving among graduates and researchers/scholars as the cornerstones for the generation of quality knowledge and a robust evidence-base upon which decisions can be made towards modernisation of our economy. This Strategic Plan presents a unique model in that it encourages ownership, by University students, staff and the diverse partners we serve, in developing solutions to real-life problems: taking University education and training beyond the lecture-room in pursuit of both the institutional and national visions.
The seven clearly defined and outcome-based strategic objectives which underpin the Strategic Plan are transformative in intent. They primarily speak to a programmatic approach to research and innovation (Objective 1), research-inspired teaching, learning and community service (Objective 2), strategic partnerships for industrialization and sustainability of University business (Objective 3), talent identification and nurturing within and outside the University (Objective 4), internationalization of University programmes and business (Objective 5), modernization of University infrastructure and learning facilities (Objective 6) and good corporate governance and management of University business (Objective 7). We are confident, by virtue of the University’s strong and unquestionable endowment with high intellect, knowledge, skills and competencies in its various faculties, directorates, and institutes, of successful implementation of this strategy within the prescribed timeframe and beyond. An overall desired outcome is to have a bold University of Zimbabwe footprint in goods, services and processes at national regional and international scales. We call for the continued support from our Alumni, and existing public and private allies, while inviting prospective national, regional, and international partners to join us on this transformative journey to positively change lives for the benefit of mankind.
Professor dr., Paul Mapfumo
Vice Chancellor, University of Zimbabwe