Govt engages private partners to develop tertiary institutions

THE Government has invited private partners to invest in improving infrastructure in tertiary institutions to address accommodation challenges faced by students and staff as well as develop a comfortable learning environment.

Addressing academics at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College, Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Minister, Professor Amon Murwira said they were committed towards developing infrastructure as it remained a challenge in many tertiary institutions and improving the welfare of students.

He said Government had introduced the build, operate and transfer model where private players such as banks and investors were being invited to develop infrastructure. He said they were also committed towards facilitating fees for students through bank loans.

“I have been conducting a familiarisation visit across various tertiary institutions and one of the key areas that need to be addressed is infrastructure development. Students and staff have accommodation challenges and that is why we made an announcement with the Ministry of Finance that we have embarked on a build, operate and transfer model. Banks and investors can build infrastructure and after they have recovered their money we assume control over the accommodation,” he said.

Prof Murwira said staff members could also build their own accommodation on a mortgage system.

He said they had started engaging banks and companies that were keen on developing infrastructure. He said they were also working on securing bursaries for students.

Prof Murirwa urged tertiary institutions to produce graduates with skills that could revive the industry. He also urged tertiary institutions to offer various indigenous languages up to PHD level as this was crucial towards developing the country.

Meanwhile, Prof Murwira has said tertiary institutions in the country should gear themselves up for relevant industrial and technological innovations that provide solutions to the country’s economic problems in line with the development thrust pinned on re-establishing a functional industry.

The minister said this during a tour of higher and tertiary institutions in Bulawayo on Thursday.

“You cannot revive a dead horse. It was a Rhodesian thing and now is the time to create our own industry. We have the capacity but why should we always stop at policy and document level, we need to be practical. Therefore, the need for our institutions to adopt a practical approach where their ideas and concepts should be brought to life needs no emphasis,” said Prof Murwira.

He said tertiary institutions were the vanguard of the country’s development, hence the need for constructive planning.

He said the country needs discipline in order to develop further.