$100 000 Zimdef windfall for Nust departments

THE Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) yesterday released $100 000 to the National University of Science and Technology’s (Nust) Applied Genetics Testing Centre and the Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) department.

The money was released to Nust after the institution presented departmental challenges to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Jonathan Moyo.

Nust’s director of communication and marketing Mr Felix Moyo expressed gratitude to Prof Moyo for responding to their plea.

He said AGTC received $75 000 while the JMS department got $25 000 and the money would be used to transform the two departments.

He said the funds would enable the two departments to reach their full potential with the AGTC planning to commercialise its operations and introducing viral load testing.

The JMS department’s studio would be equipped for practical learning.

The studio equipment to be purchased includes professional stereo, field recorders, audio and video monitors, editing software, studio air conditioners, studio furniture among other equipment.

Mr Moyo said the department is ready to produce content that speaks to diverse communities and there are also plans to apply for a community radio licence later.

“The donation comes at a time when the Government has embarked on a digitalisation programme which will present vast opportunities in the field of communication and information science including the need for more content in radio, television and film. Once the studio has been fully equipped and digitalised, the Nust community and department in particular will be ready to supply diverse quality content produced by both students and academic staff to various media organisations,” said Mr Moyo.

He said the equipment would also benefit practising journalists who may want to conduct refresher courses with Nust.—@nqotshili.