Students on scholarships urged to bring back skills, knowledge

Harare (New Ziana) -Students who go on scholarships abroad should bring back knowledge and skills to assist in the transformation and industrialization of the country, a senior government official has said.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Minister Amon Murwira said this on Monday in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Kindness Paradza during the send-off of 689 students on the Presidential and National Scholarships to various countries.

The government established the Presidential and National Scholarships Department to provide international scholarships to academically gifted but less privileged candidates.

Professor Murwira said on completion of their studies, the country should get value from sending the students abroad.

“There is no study area in which one can come back without innovative ideas. We expect you as students to come back as job creators and not job seekers.

“Zimbabwe has a rich natural environment that should be transformed in order to transform the lives of citizens. Come back and proffer solutions to the country’s challenges. We need to see the results of the investment that government is going to put in you,” he said.

He warned the departing students against engaging in behavior that would put the name of the country into disrepute.

“We want students who will raise the flag of Zimbabwe high academically and in their behaviour. Unhu, Ubuntu should show you are a true patriotic Zimbabwean.

“Don’t go out there and be drug abusers or peddlers or else you risk being deported. Take time to understand culture, values and norms of the country you are going to, so that you don’t go against the expected,” he said.

Prof Murwira thanked parents for entrusting the government with catering for certain needs of their children but was quick to point out that this did not mean a relegation of responsibilities on their part.

Chief Director of the Presidential and National Scholarships Wadzani Kachere said government efforts in creating opportunities to educate its youth abroad promotes health relationships with the countries that embrace the country’s vision and thrust.

“Sending students to study abroad will strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between those countries and Zimbabwe.

“Furthermore, this opportunity will provide platforms for our students to master various trades while acquiring experiences, buttressed with creativity and innovation as part of their studies,” she said.

She added that all the countries to which the students are being sent have unique programs conducted in state-of-the-art infrastructure and exposing students to such will enhance the country’s human capital drive.

The 689 students will go to various universities in Algeria, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Russia.

New Ziana