ROBIN PHIRI Harare Polytechnic on Friday conferred diplomas and certificates to 4 588 graduates at its 2025 graduation ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history The event, which recorded a 78.4% pass rate, underscored the polytechnic’s growing reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and industry-driven training Acting Principal Deborah Ruziwa praised the graduates for their dedication and resilience, highlighting the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and high academic standards “We are proud to have created an inclusive learning environment that leaves no one behind,” Ruziwa said “This year, we celebrate a remarkable academic achievement Harare Polytechnic has produced [a] BTech Applied Chemical Technology programme achieving a 100% pass rate — a testament to the dedication of both our students and staff.” In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development Minister Frederick Shava urged polytechnics to fully embrace the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which seeks to transform higher learning institutions into engines of innovation, industrialisation, and commercialisation “Polytechnics are now producing tangible, scalable solutions to real-world challenges,” Sibanda said “This bold declaration challenges us to move beyond innovation and into enterprise It is a call to action for our institutions to ensure that innovations and prototypes are not only created but also commercialised to generate employment, support industrial growth, and enhance export competitiveness.” The ministry is also prioritising greater female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines “We wish to see our female students breaking stereotypes through pursuing sciences and challenging traditional gender roles and biases We want our students in sciences to drive innovations that address health, environmental issues, and diverse social challenges,” Sibanda added In support of graduate entrepreneurship, the government has streamlined company registration processes, while Harare Polytechnic has complemented these efforts by establishing three business subsidiaries under Polymake in 2025, advancing industrialisation and innovation The graduation also celebrated the success of the Ningbo Polytechnic–Harare Polytechnic five-year Memorandum of Agreement, under which 30 students graduated this year The landmark partnership, backed by 90 scholarships, equips young people with practical skills while strengthening educational and cultural ties between Zimbabwe and China “Today, as we celebrate the first graduating class of this joint programme, this noble vision has become a reality,” said Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Dong “Guided by educators from both China and Zimbabwe, these students have not only mastered technical expertise but also built friendships that transcend borders.” This milestone coincides with the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and China Education has been a key pillar of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, delivering new schools, upgraded universities, more than 6,000 trained professionals, and numerous technology transfer initiatives “To the graduates who studied in Ningbo, I hope you will see yourselves not merely as engineers or technicians, but as custodians and torchbearers of the deep-rooted China–Zimbabwe friendship,” Dong added Harare Polytechnic has strengthened its industry linkages, with 2,486 students currently on industrial attachment in sectors aligned to their fields of study, ensuring graduates are equipped with market-ready skills The institution’s research and innovation drive has also yielded results The BTech Applied Chemical Technology programme has secured four patents from the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO), including the diesel and petrol from coal by DNSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) method Plans are already in motion to establish a fuel production plant based on this innovation, positioning Harare Polytechnic as a key contributor to Zimbabwe’s industrial future Originally published on Business Times All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com . Source: Businesstimes
