News / National
Zimbabwean man flies flag at ITU
03 Dec 2015 at 05:16hrs | Views
Picture this scenario. A high profile ICT ministerial round table is underway deliberating global issues afflicting nations.
Two Deputy Prime Ministers, fifteen ministers and captains of industry from across the world are taking part, exchanging views and finding solutions on how the sector can develop mankind. Venue is the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima Japan and the moderator is one of your own.
That's when you feel proud to be Zimbabwean.
Meet Dr Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Projects and Knowledge Management in the International Telecommunications Union, an umbrella body of 193 countries across the world. It's a director's position, no small job at all.
He conducts business of the day with distinction, guides proceedings with expertise and articulates issues under his purview with the aplomb of a true specialist, earning immense respect from the 500 delegates converging here.
But who is Dr Zavazava, a virtually unknown Zimbabwean scaling such dizzy heights?
Pint-sized, unassuming and down to earth is what you see - but unfortunately not what you get! Engage this ICT guru and you definitely realise that dynamite indeed comes in small packages.
"It has been a long road my brother," Dr Zavazava begins the interview as he opens up on a journey that started from his modest Masvingo home, taking him to the glitzy avenues of Switzerland where he directs operations in the development sector of ITU - an organisation established in 1865 well before the United Nations was born.
His division has four sections headed by senior heads (i.e.) Projects-ITU Indicators, Capacity building institutional and human and emergency telecommunications, Climate change adaptation and mitigation, e-waste management, Concentrated assistance to 48 least developed countries, special needs and strategies for very poor countries.
"It is both challenging and exciting as we are dealing with diversity - from highly advanced countries to those developing and the least developed small islands.
"Each of them is unique in terms of their level of development, vulnerability to external economic shocks and natural disasters. What also excites me is the richness of cultures that I deal with, it's just humbling. The job is on its own a university without walls as each experience teaches you to learn, appreciate and adapt," said Dr Zavazava.
The job entails supporting countries across the globe with ICT needs to develop infrastructure, create an enabling environment and legal framework, training and upgrading skills of staff in government institutions to adapt to emerging new technologies.
Dr Zavazava's curriculum vitae is a real marvel. He holds a Ph.D. in Multilateral Trade, a Master of Laws in Telecommunications and Information Technology, Masters in International Relations, Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor's in Business Administration and Diplomas in Telecommunications and Systems Engineering. The qualifications were acquired over a period of three decades from various institutions across the globe.
Before assuming his present position in 2010, Dr Zavazava had held numerous senior positions within ITU. These include a nine year stint as Head of the Division for Least Developed Countries, small island developing states, emergency telecommunications, e-waste management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Between 2003 and 2006 he was Head of Business Development Division. Prior to that, the IT expert was a diplomat and served in Switzerland and Japan as a negotiator in various United Nations Agencies in Geneva.
From 2002 to 2015 Dr Zavazava served on and chaired ITU Committees which include Procurement Selection Panel, Appointment and Promotion Board, Joint Advisory Board and Web Editorial Board.
In recognition of his superb contribution to the world body, Dr Zavazava received a top ITU Performance Award for Excellence in 2009.
Indeed the meteoric rise of Dr Zavazava is testimony of Zimbabwe's success story in churning out academics of world class standards. He remains a true ambassador for his beloved motherland Zimbabwe.
Two Deputy Prime Ministers, fifteen ministers and captains of industry from across the world are taking part, exchanging views and finding solutions on how the sector can develop mankind. Venue is the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima Japan and the moderator is one of your own.
That's when you feel proud to be Zimbabwean.
Meet Dr Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Projects and Knowledge Management in the International Telecommunications Union, an umbrella body of 193 countries across the world. It's a director's position, no small job at all.
He conducts business of the day with distinction, guides proceedings with expertise and articulates issues under his purview with the aplomb of a true specialist, earning immense respect from the 500 delegates converging here.
But who is Dr Zavazava, a virtually unknown Zimbabwean scaling such dizzy heights?
Pint-sized, unassuming and down to earth is what you see - but unfortunately not what you get! Engage this ICT guru and you definitely realise that dynamite indeed comes in small packages.
"It has been a long road my brother," Dr Zavazava begins the interview as he opens up on a journey that started from his modest Masvingo home, taking him to the glitzy avenues of Switzerland where he directs operations in the development sector of ITU - an organisation established in 1865 well before the United Nations was born.
His division has four sections headed by senior heads (i.e.) Projects-ITU Indicators, Capacity building institutional and human and emergency telecommunications, Climate change adaptation and mitigation, e-waste management, Concentrated assistance to 48 least developed countries, special needs and strategies for very poor countries.
"It is both challenging and exciting as we are dealing with diversity - from highly advanced countries to those developing and the least developed small islands.
"Each of them is unique in terms of their level of development, vulnerability to external economic shocks and natural disasters. What also excites me is the richness of cultures that I deal with, it's just humbling. The job is on its own a university without walls as each experience teaches you to learn, appreciate and adapt," said Dr Zavazava.
The job entails supporting countries across the globe with ICT needs to develop infrastructure, create an enabling environment and legal framework, training and upgrading skills of staff in government institutions to adapt to emerging new technologies.
Dr Zavazava's curriculum vitae is a real marvel. He holds a Ph.D. in Multilateral Trade, a Master of Laws in Telecommunications and Information Technology, Masters in International Relations, Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor's in Business Administration and Diplomas in Telecommunications and Systems Engineering. The qualifications were acquired over a period of three decades from various institutions across the globe.
Before assuming his present position in 2010, Dr Zavazava had held numerous senior positions within ITU. These include a nine year stint as Head of the Division for Least Developed Countries, small island developing states, emergency telecommunications, e-waste management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Between 2003 and 2006 he was Head of Business Development Division. Prior to that, the IT expert was a diplomat and served in Switzerland and Japan as a negotiator in various United Nations Agencies in Geneva.
From 2002 to 2015 Dr Zavazava served on and chaired ITU Committees which include Procurement Selection Panel, Appointment and Promotion Board, Joint Advisory Board and Web Editorial Board.
In recognition of his superb contribution to the world body, Dr Zavazava received a top ITU Performance Award for Excellence in 2009.
Indeed the meteoric rise of Dr Zavazava is testimony of Zimbabwe's success story in churning out academics of world class standards. He remains a true ambassador for his beloved motherland Zimbabwe.
Source - the herald
