Midlands State University (MSU) commenced its 2026 Research, Innovation and Industrialisation Week at the Main Campus Multipurpose Hall in Gweru today, 28 September 2026, driving national economic development through strategic keynotes, executive panels, and interactive technology showcases.
The landmark event is running under the theme, “From Knowledge to Impact: Advancing Research, Innovation and Industrialisation for Sustainable and Inclusive Development”.
Welcoming delegates to the province, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for the Midlands Province, Honourable Owen Ncube, commended higher tertiary institutions for embracing the nation’s modernisation thrust.
“This Expo provides a strategic platform that seeks to translate knowledge, research and ideas into practical solutions, innovative products, enterprises and ultimately industries,” affirmed Honourable Ncube.
Delivering the keynote address on deploying artificial intelligence across national productive sectors, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda A. Mavetera, urged researchers to align digital breakthroughs with tangible economic requirements.
“The proposition I wish to advance is straightforward: artificial intelligence will contribute to industrialisation when we organise our institutions to turn research into reliable solutions that people can afford, businesses can adopt, and public services can sustain,” declared Honourable Mavetera.
Highlighting ground-level innovation, the Minister spotlighted AgriLens crop diagnostic software by Dumisa Dlamini alongside smart waste management systems by Edgar Pangani Dube as practical frameworks ready for enterprise adoption.
MSU Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Industrialisation, Professor G. Mugumbate, defined the primary theme guiding the event.
“The theme captures a deliberate institutional shift from generating and disseminating academic knowledge to ensuring that knowledge is translated into solutions, goods and services,” emphasised Professor Mugumbate.
Captains of industry from ZB Bank, ZimTrade, and POTRAZ subsequently joined the University leadership in a high-powered panel exploring actionable models for collaborative enterprise development.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director for the Research and Innovation Division, Professor Gift Mehlana, emphasised the commitment of MSU to nurturing holistic graduates and applauded the collaborative synergy between academia and the corporate sector.
“Today’s deliberate convergence of intellect, industry, and governance demonstrates that our research laboratories are active powerhouses driving Zimbabwe’s industrialisation,” stated Professor Mehlana.
Running through to 30 September 2026, this landmark event continues to forge the intellectual and technological foundations essential for achieving sustainable development and powering Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
