THE Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, yesterday officially opened the 22^nd WaterNet Symposium, hosted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), in Victoria Falls.

The WaterNet Symposium is running from 20 to 22 October 2021 under the theme “Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development in Eastern and Southern Africa”.

Below is the full speech by Dr Masuka.

I am delighted to join you at this august 22^nd WaterNet Symposium. I especially welcome our foreign delegates to the beautiful and magnificent Victoria Falls. I hope you will enjoy our Zimbabwean hospitality.

This WaterNet Symposium, is running under the theme “Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development in Eastern and Southern Africa”. The symposium is being held at an opportune time. The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, through my Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, is seized with harnessing water resources for social and economic development as a driving factor for Zimbabwe to attain an Empowered and Upper Middle Income Society, as eloquently espoused by our President, His Excellency Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, by 2030.

Distinguished Guests, ladies and Gentlemen!

At this juncture let me acknowledge the sterling efforts of the organising team, and at the same time take the opportunity to applaud and congratulate the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and its partners for taking the lead to organise and host this critical Symposium.

Enhancing access to safe water supply and sanitation services, as well as basic hygienic practices are key foundational issues for achieving our country’s Vision and are critical for attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and gender equality. In particular, SDG 6 calls for clean water and sanitation for all. By managing our water sustainably, we are also able to better manage our production of food and energy and contribute to decent work and economic growth.

The water supply and sanitation coverage in many developing countries is still lagging, especially in rural areas. Urgent additional resources and assistance are required for the sector from stakeholders, including development partners. The Zimbabwe government, on its part, envisages drilling some 35 000 boreholes in each of the country’s 35 000 villages by 2024, drilling some 9 600 boreholes at each of our 9600 schools, and a further 3 600 boreholes, two each in each of our 18 000 wards for youth horticulture projects. Additionally, of the 44 950 boreholes in the country only 25 000 are fully functional. So maintenance must be a key community involvement issue. My Ministry also superintends over 530 water points through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, supplying 33 million cubic metres treated water annually, and 1.3 billion cubic metres raw bulk water annually.

Zimbabwe is endowed with some 10 700 dams having been built, but only a handful are being fully utilised. This presents an opportunity to deploy new technologies. The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has now adopted a new philosophy for these projects as it seeks to accelerate irrigation development from the current 216 000 ha to over 420 000 ha by 2024.

Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen!

This symposium creates a platform for networking, for sharing ideas, sharing experiences, and for improving cooperation. I wish to point that, it is my expectation that you will fully exploit and cooperate in the area of developing and deploying technologies that improve water use efficiency. Stakeholder experiences are envisaged to boost our efforts to improve the economy through interventions in the construction and exploitation of the storage, collection, transmission and distribution systems of potable water, and sewage disposal, treatment systems and cleaner energy production. Also, of great importance is the scientific research in the field of water quality and its monitoring, identification of water resources, technologies for water and sewage systems; and the experience in irrigation technologies to improve the efficiency of agricultural production.

It is therefore important to mainstream water and sanitation issues in research and capacity building. I am pleased to know that we have water experts from the rest of Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States of America participating in this conference either physically or virtually. Because of this diversity, I wish to see partnerships, collaborations and synergies coming out of this symposium which would give birth to new technologies and approaches of solving our water challenges.

Finally, may I take this opportunity to welcome all delegates that are physically here in Zimbabwe and thank you for joining us in this Symposium.

It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare this symposium officially open. I wish you fruitful deliberations.

I thank you.

The University wishes to advise all First Year Students for the 2021/2022 Academic Year that Orientation and Registration shall take place at the Main Campus from Monday 18 October 2021 to Friday 22 October 2021. The full orientation timetable is available on this website by clicking this LINK. All students are to bring the following:

1. Copies of their Offer Letters.
2. Academic Qualifications (Original ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level certificates).
3. Original Birth Certificate and National Identity Document.
4. One passport size photo.
5. Proof of Payment. 

Please note that Face-to-Face lectures shall commence soon after the Orientation Week that is as from 25 October 2021 (See the Calendar circulated on the Website). 

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST COVID-19 PANDEMIC

1. Students are expected to bring a Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
2. Those Students who are yet to vaccinate are encouraged to visit the nearest health centre or NUST Clinic to get vaccinated.
3. There will be temperature checking and sanitisation at all points of entry to campus.
4. Social distancing shall be observed at all times on Campus and wearing of masks shall be compulsory.

L.J. Hadebe (Mr) –  Deputy Registrar, Academic

TWO final year students in Fiscal Studies have raised the NUST flag high by coming out in top 5 out of 88 students from Southern African universities who participated in the Ernest & Young (EY) Young Tax Professional of the year 2021 international competition.

Bothwell Chiramba and Maxwell Maduka, who are both studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Fiscal Studies, came second and fourth respectively at the regional level of the global competition.

The Ernest & Young (EY) Young Tax Professional of the year 2021 international competition aims to identify and recognise aspiring tax professionals and provide a platform for young minds to showcase their skills.

The first prize was won by a University of Pretoria student while the third prize went to a student from the University of Cape Town.

In addition to the prize money, the top three winners qualify for the EY graduate training programme.

The international competition, which is designed to reward and foster the next generation of tax leaders, is in its 10^th year running.

At the global stage, the competition attracts participants from more than 30 countries.

The two NUST students have made history for being the first Zimbabwean students to participate and win in the life of the competition.

This year, at the regional stage, eighty-eight (88) talented young tax professionals participated from 9 universities in the SADC region.

NUST represented Zimbabwean universities in the global competition.

The two winners were excited about the achievement and the opportunities availed to them.

“It is not possible for me to show my thankfulness in words. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the EY Young Tax professional 2021 Southern Africa and also for the prize I won. The competition has strengthened my presentation skills,” said Bothwell, who came second at the regional level of the competition.

“The competition enriched me with solid grasp of transfer pricing, cross-border tax structuring, planning and compliance,” said Maxwell who came fourth.

The winners urged fellow students to participate in the annual competition as it presents various opportunities.

“It will help you to create a strong foundation for your careers in Tax and also to make contacts with EY professionals and the rest of the world. This will build you long lasting relationships. It is a good platform to explore diverse career opportunities,” said Bothwell.

Maxwell added that by participating in the annual international competition, students stand a chance to be named the Young Tax Professional of the Year and the opportunity to join the EY Tax graduate programme in their country.

The Chairperson of the Department of Finance, Dr Edson Mbedzi, congratulated the students for their hard work.

“I would like to thank the students for their hard work during this challenging environment and all the efforts put forward by the whole academic staff in the Department to ensure that students get the support they needed. This is a reflection that the quality of our teaching meet the global standards,” said Dr Mbedzi.

THE purpose of innovation is to solve day-to-day challenges and former National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student Mr Fortune Mswati Donga believes he is on course to addressing one of industry’s most pertinent problems — power shortage.

Mr Donga (26), from Nkayi, graduated from Nust with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Applied Chemistry in 2019.

He has invented a biomass-powered industrial water pump and gold processing plant.

Mr Donga said his invention is aimed at solving power challenges that affect productivity especially among small-scale miners who operate in areas without electricity.

The water pump can enable communities that struggle to pump water to use cheap and environment friendly technologies to pump it.

Biomass refers to plants or animal material used as fuel to produce electricity or heat.

Mr Donga has partnered Nust to commercialise his invention and transform communities.

His biomass powered-gold processing plant and water pump constitute the flagship Nust exhibition at ZITF 61st edition.

Mr Donga said coming from a rural district he observed the challenges presented by lack of electricity to some entities in the area and utilised his academic studies to innovate.

“I come from Nkayi, and there are a lot of companies that produce timber and as a result produce a lot of biomass.

Biomass is anything that is plant-based and combustible to produce energy. Where I come from there is a lot of gold production and this is sometimes done in places that are far from civilisation where there is connectivity to electricity and other means of energy. The small-scale miners in the area struggle to process their gold as a result of lack of power yet there is an abundance of forest and dying plants,” said Mr Donga.

“I partnered with Nust to produce a prototype of how we can utilise biomass as a source of energy to address the power challenges affecting the country.”

He said his innovation can also contribute to reduced usage of water in the gold processing process.

“This innovation is perfectly in sync with the national renewable policy that calls for innovativeness in using biomass. I started this in the Covid-19 era as I had a lot of time to address the challenges affecting my community,” he said.

Nust director of communication and marketing Mr Thabani Mpofu said the biomass-powered equipment is a game changer especially looking at the country’s troubled energy sector.

“The biomass powered multi-purpose water pump I think for us for this year’s ZITF edition is ‘the’ innovation’ in the sense that this is a very important innovation for farmers, it’s a very important innovation for small-scale miners and it’s also a very important innovation for general purpose use. It’s a cheap way of pumping water, it’s also a cheap way of producing energy,” said Mr Mpofu.

“If you look at it, biomass energy can be used to process gold. If you link the two it can give power to the other and can be able to use that machinery and cut on costs as opposed to taking their gold elsewhere for milling. We believe that this is the way to go. The other pumps use diesel, they use petrol, electricity but for this one we just use biomass which is out there.”

He said through employing biomass, the country can drive mining and agriculture through cheaper energy sources and players in the sector should be excited over the invention.

Mr Mpofu said the university is in the process of making patents for some of the innovations before commercialising them.

“As Nust we are working on industrial parks, the main idea is mass production of these products. At the moment, what we have are prototypes and we are still undergoing various tests and our experts were also looking at making improvements on them,” said Mr Mpofu.

“We have now reached a stage where we can register them as patents and after registering them as patents then we do mass production on these products, including our targeted beneficiaries.”

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said higher learning institutions have adopted innovation as an economic driver and an enabler towards Vision 2030.

“This year one of the themes of the ZITF is innovation and our institutions have come in full force to showcase innovations that are basically a show of the necessary capabilities this nation needs to read Vision 2030. We have universities, industrial training colleges and polytechnics and teachers’ colleges as well. So, what you will see when you go to Hall 3 is you will see what our universities, our colleges are doing. All the things that are there, if they are put into the production line, that’s the industrialisation process,” said Prof Murwira.

“All industries are created to meet human needs; industries are created from training in education and human needs remain constant. Education improves the way we meet those human needs. So, this is the whole story that you are going to see.”

He said part of the innovation will see Nust by November making reagents while universities have played a significant role in fighting Covid-19 through production of personal protective equipment.

Prof Murwira said the higher and tertiary education sector consists of people who are ready to innovate to move their country forward.

He said developed countries used the same strategies to get where they are. — @nqotshili.

Admission Into Master Of Business Administration Degree; Master Of Business Adminisration (MBA) And Master Of Business Admistration In Strategic Management (BASM

• Applicants are invited from candidates who meet the requirements for entry into the Masters of Business Administration Degree Programmes, for the January 2022 Intake. 

• Online application is available via this link OR 

• Download the application form from this link

Senior Assistant Registrar, Administration and Student Records, NUST, Gwanda Road/Cecil Avenue, P O Box AC 939 Ascot, BULAWAYO.  Enquiries should be directed to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Admissions and Student Records) Telephone: +263 292 289557/+263 292 282842/+263 292 288413/+263 292 284237

Completed Forms may also be submitted at our NUST Harare Office, ZIMDEF House, 18572 Off Mother Patrick Avenue, Rotten Row, Harare (Next to the Magistrate Court). 

• Payment Procedures
• Zimbabwean Nationals

Normal application

A non-refundable application fee of ZWL 850.00 must be paid before submission.  The closing date for normal application is 29 October 2021.

Late Application

Late application will be considered up to 5 November 2021.  Late application fee is ZWL 1272.00.

International applicants

Normal application

A non-refundable application fee of US$20.00 must be paid before submission.  The closing date for normal application is 29 October 2021.

Late Application

Late application will be considered up to 5 November 2021.  Late application fee US$30.00.

Payment

• Applicants are encouraged to utilise the online payment platform.
• Application fees may also be paid via the following modes:

For Zimbabwean Nationals:

• Cash at NUST Bulawayo Campus
• Swipe at NUST Bulawayo Campus/Harare Office, Zimdef House
• Incoming Telegraphic Transfer or a cash deposit into the following account:

Bank: ZB Bank

Branch: Jason Moyo

Name:  National University of Science and Technology

For International Applicants

• US$ Cash at NUST Bulawayo Campus
• Swipe via International ATM Card or Master Card at NUST Bulawayo Campus
• Incoming Telegraphic Transfer or a cash deposit into the following account:

Account Name:   National University of Science and Technology           

Bank Accoung:   FBC Bank

Branch Code:  8305

Account Number: 4820 0686 0666 (Nostro Demostic)

Swift Code : FBCPZWHAXXX

(Excluding The Faculty Of Medicine) 

Please be advised that Registration and Orientation of all First Year Students will start on Monday the 18^th of October 2021 and end on Friday the 21^st of October 2021 at the Main Campus as per the Notice circulated by the Registrar on the 29^th of August 2021. The Notice supersedes the dates written on offer letters.  

You are all encouraged to get the Covid-19 vaccination. Strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols will be enforced at all times. Remember to always wear your mask, practise social distancing in public places and regularly wash/sanitise your hands. 

Mr L.J. Hadebe

Deputy Registrar – Academic

THE National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the country’s first and leading technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-oriented university, is leading a research in the development of capacity to produce Covid-19 and other pathogens testing reagents, a major breakthrough in the fight against the pandemic and handling of other diseases like HIV/Aids.

NUST, a leader in human capital development for industrial and socio-economic transformation, with a bias towards STEM, is delivering cutting edge research and innovations that are driving industrialisation locally and beyond.

The University is home to the country’s first centre for DNA Testing services, which is housed at the Applied Genetic Testing Centre (AGTC).

Before the establishment of AGTC, the country was losing foreign currency in accessing DNA Testing services in South Africa and Europe.

The AGTC has distinguished itself as the most trusted and affordable DNA Testing centre in the country.

Recently, AGTC received the Medal of Meritorious Service Commendation Award from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

AGTC has performed over 3 000 human and DNA identification tests, servicing clients across the country and collaborating with foreign laboratories in the United Kingdom and Australia in human identification for immigration purposes.

The country’s premier DNA Testing Centre offers forensic services to different Government departments including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Civil Protection Unit (CPU).

AGTC has assisted in the identification of complex forensic and national disaster victims, notably, victims who were burnt beyond recognition in road traffic accidents in the Mvuma Bus Disaster (23 victims), Mvurwi Bus Accident (11 victims), Guruve Commuter Omnibus (6 victims), West Nicholson Bus Disaster (32 victims), Beitbridge (4 Victims) and an explosion in Lionsden (5 victims).

AGTC has solved over 1 000 forensic cases for the Zimbabwe Republic Police including murder, sexual assault, unlawful entry and stock-theft.

The Centre is currently working on the identification of over 150 Cyclone Idai Victims who were buried unidentified in Mozambique. The complex exercise is set to be completed in October 2021.

When Covid-19 hit the country in early 2020, AGTC used its equipment and deployed staff to set up a PCR Testing Centre at the National TB Reference Laboratory at Mpilo Hospital from April to December 2020, servicing five provinces of Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Midlands. By the time the Government took over the testing programme, AGTC had tested over 40 000 samples.

Currently, AGTC is leading a research in the development of capacity to produce Covid-19 (and other pathogens) testing reagents, a major breakthrough in the fight against the pandemic and handling of other diseases like HIV/Aids.

Also, through the Core TeleInfrastructure Global Capsule, the first of its kind in Africa, NUST accelerates global multidisciplinary research collaboration in the continent.

Renowned for pioneering industry-based learning, which is key in the implementation of the Heritage-Based Education 5.0, the University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in seven Faculties and three centres.

Through the Faculties of Applied Science, Engineering, Medicine, The Built Environment, Science and Technology Education, Communication and Information Science, Commerce, Graduate School of Business, Institute of Development Studies and the Centre for Continuing Education, NUST churns out graduates who are able to stand in academia, multidisciplinary research, innovation and the world of industry at large with confidence.

The main goal of NUST is to train students to make an impact in society with the creative and innovative skills imparted during their education experience that is consistently rated among the best locally and beyond.

Employers value NUST graduates for their combination of theoretical and practical experience, as well as their good communication and technological skills.

NUST is committed to producing innovative and entrepreneurial graduates whose qualifications are locally and internationally recognised, underpinned by values of engaged citizenship.

For example, fifth and final year Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering student, Tafadzwa Banga (23), has lifted the country’s flag high after being selected one of the top 10 young innovators by Space in Africa.

Banga, the only Zimbabwean, is part of the African Space Industry Top 10 under 30 – Class of 2021 together with other researchers and innovators from other African countries namely Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt (two), Mauritius, Ethiopia (two), Angola and Sierra Leone.

The youthful NUST innovator is also the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) National Point of Contact (NPoC) for Zimbabwe, having joined SGAC in 2019.

Banga and his team launched a student-designed electronic payload in near space using a high-altitude balloon, the first-ever space-related project for Zimbabwe.

The launch made a significant impact on the awareness of space education and breast cancer.

Though young, NUST is one university with giant footprints.

The University’s researchers, academics and students collaborate with industry, government, non-governmental organisations, and other leading institutions to solve real societal problems and transform lives.

Research and innovations from NUST contribute significantly to public policy formation and set agenda on national discourses.

The institution was recently awarded the Jairos Jiri Humanitarian Award for its outstanding work in the practicalisation of Heritage-based Education 5.0 in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

NUST led from the front in support of His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s fight against the pandemic.

When Covid-19 hit the country, NUST was among the local universities that came up with different response strategies.

Through the Innovation Hub, NUST started manufacturing sanitisers, disinfectants and face-masks.

Working with a group of researchers from the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, the Innovation Hub set up a sanitiser production team.

Since 2020, the plant has produced over 400 000 litres of sanitiser trading under the trade name NUSTISER, which was certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) under their standard ARS ZWS HS 1470:2020.

In addition to sanitiser production, the sanitiser production plant was retrofitted to produce disinfectants in the form of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide as well as Hypochlorite based disinfectants.

To date over 200 000 litres of disinfectant have been produced at the plant.

Also, working with researchers from the Department of Fibre and Polymer Science, the Innovation Hub embarked on the production of PPEs.

As part of our community outreach programme and efforts to mainstream a STEM culture, NUST offers disadvantaged high school students an opportunity to engage with learned academics towards better understanding of the challenging science subjects through the Schools Enrichment Programme (NUSTSEP).

This ensures that Zimbabweans enjoy inclusive and equitable education through promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all, as mandated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

THE collaborative effort of a top Zimbabwean architect Mr Emiel Murwira and students from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has aided Zimbabwe to come up with a ‘top notch’ pavilion design to house the country’s product and service exhibits at the Expo Dubai 2020.   

The Zimbabwe Pavilion is strategically located in the “Opportunities District” of the prime global expo in the United Arab Emirates where the country seeks to harvest huge investment and trade gains.

Zimbabwe will join 190 other participating countries for the global showcase to be held under the theme: “Connecting Minds, Creating Future", which opens on October 1, 2021 and runs until March 31, 2022.

Taking part in the expo is critical for the Second Republic’s international re-engagement and economic diplomacy drive, under which President Mnangagwa has declared ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ with trade, investment and private sector led growth as key elements of the broader development matrix.

With preparations progressing well and now at advanced stages, Zimbabwe has already exhibited design creativity in the layout of its pavilion, which overlooks the grand Emirates Pavilion and the main Al Wasil Plaza, which is the core or centre of the expo events.

As the pavilion detail design architect, Mr Murwira of Design Pro Architect, believes the country has deployed tremendous professional technical expertise to the concept that was initiated by students from the National University of Science and Technology.

Using his experience and vast skill, he then transformed it into detailed working drawings and technical specifications that met the required international standards and procedures.

“The exterior facades are dressed with pictures of the people of Zimbabwe, the capital city pictures and unique places such as the Great Zimbabwe and the Mighty Victoria Falls, which makes it attractive and worth the cause for an eye,” said Mr Murwira in a brief shared with Business Chronicle.

“The interior is modern and high-tech with free-flowing curved walls that are dressed with a savanna background, all drawn from the concept of the Great Zimbabwe architecture, which gave birth to the country name - Zimbabwe.”

Mr Murwira is a well-travelled architect and has been involved in several architectural tours in Singapore, China as well as Dubai and boasts of vast experience on projects undertaken not only in Zimbabwe but South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Swaziland, to mention but a few.

His involvement in the design project, working closely with the Government under the well-coordinated effort led by Expo Dubai 2020 Commissioner General, Ambassador Mary Mubi, has added great value to Zimbabwe’s image impression.

According to Mr Murwira, the journey through the country’s pavilion is chronologically planned into four zones - with Zone 1 capturing an introduction to Zimbabwe at a glance, its history, values and general demographics.

“The Great Zimbabwe wall background is qualified by the fact that Zimbabwe is the only country in the world named after a World Heritage site,” he said.

“The Second Zone calumets all key sectors of the economy amongst others being agriculture, mining, tourism with a grand view of the Victoria Falls forming the main attraction in this zone.

“Digital screens and chevron pattern (drawn from Great Zimbabwe chevron) of well-lit picture frames are carried throughout the entire pavilion.”

The hardworking and resilient people of Zimbabwe are well represented in Zone 3, which comes with detachable picture frames of celebrities, prominent people and other selected images.

The Fourth and Final Zones focuses on the future of Zimbabwe with TV screens, digital Zimbabwe map, connectivity tablets and a retail section making the key attractions, said Mr Murwira.

“A collective and well-coordinated design and implementation process between Zimbabwe and UAE saw this pavilion reaching practical completion stage well in time for the official opening,” he said.

“Series of site inspection and coordination visits by Zimbabwe technical team and Government officials enabled a professionally coordinated implementation exercise toll and the official handover on the 12th of September 2021.

“With final touches and digital installations underway, the Zimbabwe Pavilion is viewed by others as one of the remarkably interesting pavilions at the Expo.”

Zimbabwe will ride on the global spotlight provided by the expo to showcase the diverse attractive investment and trade opportunities in the country.

To achieve higher momentum the country will be exhibiting in the opportunities cluster guided by the theme: “Zimbabwe the Land of Great Opportunities”.

Amb Mubi has said that the platform will greatly help cast spotlight on Zimbabwe and highlight the diverse range of huge opportunities across sectors such as industrial processes, arts and culture, human capital and innovations.

“We are creating exciting content, including fashion, cotton to clothing and agriculture,” said Amb Mubi recently, adding that her team was seized with creating content that will excite world traders.

“The National Day is March 24, 2022. On this day we will showcase investment opportunities in the country and there will be a high-level delegation.” – Chronicle.