The 13th Edition of the ZIRS-themed, “Embracing Research and Innovation for Sustainable Industrialisation” pursues the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030. The 13th ZIRS echoes the progress that the Zimbabwe Research Council, (RCZ) has achieved since the first symposium. The 13th ZIRS will be held in Harare at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) from the 2nd to the 4th October 2024.
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, is the Chancellor of all State Universities. He holds a D.Eng in Engineering Sciences and Technology (CUT), PhD Security Studies and Defence (ZNDU), LLB, LPI, LLD (University of Zambia), LLD (MSU), LLD(UZ), LLD(GZU), DPhil (BUSE), DSc (NUST), and a DTech (HIT). As President, he has laid out a clear vision of taking the country to a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030. He fully supported the adoption of the Education 5.0 Doctrine to spur the transformation of Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society through innovation and rapid industrialisation. It is through his research-inclined vision for the development of our great nation that innovation hubs and industrial parks have been established at universities all over the country. Over and above these initiatives the President's vision has led to the launch of the Bio-economy parks, and specialised agencies such as ZINGSA and the Zimbabwe Centre for High Computing Performance. Under his leadership research investment in Zimbabwe is rapidly growing and the Zimbabwe International Research Symposium is privileged to receive him as the Guest of Honour.
The Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) was established in 1986 to promote, direct, supervise and coordinate research. One of the major functions of RCZ is advising Government on issues of research for sustainable development. RCZ also provides an exceptional forum for interaction and discussion for the mutual benefit of Government, academia and industrialists. In addition, it is a convenient conduit for financial and infrastructural support for collaborative research among research institutes and councils. RCZ’s role is that of a catalyst, having identified broad areas of concern, it consults and brings together relevant experts to define a programme of work and to seek out sources of funds. The RCZ establishes and maintains links with professional bodies and centers of excellence to enhance the quality of its role as a facilitator of national and international collaboration. RCZ activities are regulated by the Research Act [Chapter 10:22].
Research ActTo be the pivotal leader steering demand-driven research for wealth creation and the sustainable development of Zimbabwe by 2030.
To contribute to the knowledge economy through promoting, directing, supervising, and co-ordinating demand-driven research and the translation of research results into goods and services.
In 2011, Government approved the National Research Priorities. The Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) played a major role in developing these priorities. The national research priorities are a set of theme areas towards which financial and other resources will be deliberately directed.
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