Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe is set to host a high-level Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting of Ministers responsible for Education and Training, and Science, Technology and Innovation, as the region intensifies efforts to align its education systems with industrialisation and innovation goals.
The strategic gathering, to be held in Harare from Tuesday to June 20, will bring together policymakers and education leaders from across the region to discuss and shape transformative strategies for human capital development and regional integration.
The meeting aims to foster a harmonised approach to education, research, and innovation in order to drive sustainable development across the SADC bloc.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, said Zimbabwe is fully prepared to host the event, which will set the tone for a new era of education and innovation in the region.
“We are ready to host this crucial meeting, which will shape the direction of the education landscape in Southern Africa. Historically, education in Africa has not always aligned with developmental needs. Zimbabwe has taken the lead through the implementation of Education 5.0, and now we see growing regional recognition of the need for transformational education,” said Professor Tagwira.
Among the key issues on the agenda is the proposed establishment of a SADC Institution of Transformation, a regional university that would coordinate programmes aimed at driving industrialisation and technological advancement across member states.
Another critical point of discussion will be the operationalisation of the SADC Qualifications Framework, which seeks to harmonise degree structures and academic standards among member countries.
“This qualifications framework is crucial. It ensures that a student in Zimbabwe, for instance, can seamlessly continue their studies in Angola or Namibia without facing disparities in curriculum or programme content. We are also discussing the SADC minimum bodies of knowledge for various degree programmes to support this harmonisation,” explained Professor Tagwira.
The summit will also explore mechanisms to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and promote cross-border collaboration in science and technology.
This aligns with SADC’s broader objective of fostering knowledge-based economies that can compete globally while addressing local development challenges.
The conference comes at a critical juncture as SADC member states look to reposition their education systems, not just as tools for academic achievement but as engines for economic transformation, industrial growth, and deeper regional integration.
