By Tafara Pande
VICTORIA FALLS – Zimbabwe’s higher education institutions have been challenged to take the lead in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence into teaching, research, and innovation as part of a broader national strategy to transform the country into a digital and industrial powerhouse.
Delivering the keynote address at the Second International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Mathematical Modelling for Industry and Commerce (CIMMIC), hosted by Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Ambassador Dr. Frederick Shava, stressed the urgent need for universities to embrace AI as a practical tool for national development.
“The government envisions a future where computational intelligence is fully integrated into the academic fabric of our nation,” Dr. Shava said. “Universities must move with urgency to embed intelligent systems in curriculum design, establish research laboratories, and build startup ecosystems that turn ideas into industry-ready solutions.”
Dr. Shava underscored the role of innovation hubs, urging them to shift from being peripheral entities to becoming active engines of progress in sectors such as smart agriculture, e-governance, and financial technology.
He further cited the government’s recently approved National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan as guiding frameworks for the ethical and productive adoption of AI and related technologies.
“Institutional and individual research must no longer be confined to laboratories or lecture halls. It should shape how we manage agriculture, climate, mining, and healthcare,” he added,
noting that the push aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference, themed “Unlocking the Potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Knowledge Work,” attracted policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders from across the region. Dr. Shava later toured technology exhibitions by Econet, Old Mutual, and POTRAZ, who partnered with GZU in sponsoring the event. He commended their collaboration with the education sector.
In his welcome remarks, delivered by Pro Vice Chancellor for Industrialisation, Business Development, and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Marian Tukuta, Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo reaffirmed GZU’s dedication to Education 5.0.
“Computational intelligence and mathematical modelling are not just academic disciplines; they are foundational to the implementation of Education 5.0 and the country’s digital transition,” Professor Zvobgo said.
He highlighted GZU’s establishment of the Centre for Computational Intelligence and Actuarial Sciences, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, which focuses on applied research in finance, agriculture, health, and insurance.
“This conference is more than an academic gathering. It is a platform for aligning scholarly work with national policy priorities under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1,” Zvobgo emphasized.
Delegates are expected to produce policy proposals, collaborative projects, and research outputs aimed at accelerating Zimbabwe’s digital economy and knowledge-driven society. Sessions will explore artificial intelligence deployment, digital inclusion, algorithmic modelling, rural connectivity, and industrial competitiveness.
The conference continues tomorrow, with scholars from various regional institutions presenting papers and exchanging ideas on harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Africa’s sustainable development.
