CHINHOYI – Different academics from across the globe will headline the Chinhoyi
University of Technology’s fifth International Conference on Innovation, Industrialisation
Growth and Sustainable Development to be held next week (12 to 17 February).
The conference, which is coinciding with the university’s 20 th anniversary celebrations is
expected to draw 400 delegates both locally and foreign.
Addressing a press conference, CUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Simbi, said the
International Conference was for business and education.
The Vice-Chancellor added that different people from the business community, who include
former CUT students, would be exhibiting during the conference while keynote speakers
would be making presentations.
Acting Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee of the International Conference, Dr
Gabriel Soropa, said everything was in place for the conference, which will have seven sub
themes.
The Chinhoyi University of Technology International Conference on Innovation,
Industrialisation, Growth and Sustainable Development resonates well with the thrust of
Heritage-based Education 5.0 premised on teaching, research, community engagement,
innovation and industrialisation that is being pushed by the Government of Zimbabwe
through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology
Development.”
The conference is a premier event earmarked to rally illustrious and emerging academics
from diverse disciplines to spotlight innovation and sustainable development in the context of
Heritage-based Education 5.0 trajectory.
Building on the success of the previous conferences, the conference will provide an
international platform for academics, researchers, policy-makers, captains of industry and
students to share experiences and expertise on the over-arching multi-disciplinary conference
theme and sub-themes.
Professor Ken Giller from Netherlands’ Weganigen University or Professor Mandivamba
Rukuni shall be the key note speaker on Sustainable Food Systems, Indigenous Knowledge
Systems, Innovation and Industrialisation.
Dr Biggie Samwanda, Director for Arts and Culture Promotion Development, in the
Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, is expected to present on Creative Designing
in Changing Dynamics: the Zimbabwean experience.
Professor Kaitano Dube from the Faculty of Human Science Research, Vaal University of
Technology, South Africa, will present on Harnessing Technology and Big Data for post-
Covid-19 travel and tourism recovery: the Challenges and Opportunities in Zimbabwe
Entrepreneurship, Industrialisation and Business Development.
Claudio Fontanesi, Dipartimento di Ingegnera ‘Enzo Ferrari’, DIEF, from Modena, Italy will
share experiences on Engineering as a Sustainable Future through Creativity, Innovation and
Industrialisation.
The Sustainable Materials and Circular Production Systems presentation will see Professor
Ralph House from North Carolina University at Chapel Hill, presenting on Chemists without
Borders: An Introduction and Opportunities for Collaboration.
A specialist on Human and Animal Health, Dr Ashwell Ndhlala of University of the
Limpopo, will make a presentation on Human and Animal Health Ethno-medicines and Drug
Discovery.
Professor Sally Archibald, a representative from University of Wits in South Africa is
expected to make a presentation on Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change and
Sustainable Development.
