Zimbabwe universities must stop being 'degree factories'

HIGHER and Tertiary Education Minister Frederick Shava has challenged Zimbabwe's universities to move beyond producing graduates by commercialising research, strengthening partnerships with industry and driving innovation-led economic growth under the Education 5.0 model and Vision 2030.

Speaking through Higher and Tertiary Education Secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) Innovation Fair 2026 in Marondera, Shava said universities must become engines of innovation and industrial development.

He said Zimbabwe could no longer afford to treat institutions of higher learning as "degree factories."

"The theme 'Strengthening University Innovation and Commercialisation: Learning from Industry to Build Effective Partnerships for Scalable Impact' is timely. Innovation is no longer optional. It is central to competitiveness, productivity, job creation and economic transformation," he said.

Shava said the Government's Education 5.0 framework, which incorporates innovation and industrialisation alongside teaching, research and community service, requires universities to establish Innovation Hubs, Industrial Parks and Company Creation units capable of transforming research into commercially viable enterprises.

He said MUAST was strategically positioned to spearhead innovation in agriculture, food security, agro-processing, value addition and rural industrialisation.

"Agriculture remains central to our economy, contributing about 10-15% to GDP and employing over 60% of the population," Shava said.

"Yet we continue to face climate variability, high input costs, post-harvest losses estimated at 30% for some crops, limited value addition and poor market access. These require research, production, processing, finance and markets to work together."

The minister challenged academics to ensure their innovations address real market needs rather than remaining confined to laboratories.

"From an industry perspective, innovation matters when it solves real problems, reduces costs, creates jobs or opens new commercial opportunities. Who needs it? Will customers pay for it? Can it be produced consistently and meet quality standards?" he said.

Shava said stronger collaboration between universities and industry was essential, arguing that universities should present research outputs as commercial opportunities while businesses should engage academic institutions as innovation partners rather than simply sources of graduates.

"Universities must present innovations not only as academic outputs, but as business opportunities," he said.

"Industry must also stop seeing universities only as sources of graduates."

He commended MUAST for organising the Innovation Fair, describing it as an important platform connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers.

Shava also praised the university's Directorate of Research, Innovation, Industrialisation and Enterprise Development for advancing the commercialisation agenda.

He identified indigenous vegetables, climate-resilient livestock breeds, horticulture and value-added food products as areas with significant commercial potential capable of reducing import dependence while creating new export opportunities.

"From indigenous vegetables to agro-processing, there is strong potential to turn university projects into viable commercial ventures. But this requires intentional, well-resourced and professionally managed commercialisation," he said.

The minister said successful commercialisation requires sustained investment in product development, quality assurance, packaging, branding, regulatory compliance, market research and distribution networks.

He added that Government would continue supporting innovation through policy, infrastructure and funding, while calling on the private sector, development partners and financial institutions to provide mentorship, technical expertise and investment capital.

"I commend MUAST for choosing a theme that speaks to the needs of our time. Let us build partnerships that move Zimbabwe from importing solutions to exporting them," Shava said.

The MUAST Innovation Fair 2026 brought together representatives from academia, industry, small and medium enterprises, financial institutions and Government to showcase research projects, prototypes and student-led enterprises with commercial potential.