SIRDC In the News Archive

Benard Mizeki Students Visit BRI
BRI continues to be the Institute of choice for Educational visits by Science students from Universities, Colleges and High Schools. On the 2nd of June 2006, BRI was paid a visit by a group of seven Upper Six Benard Mizeki College Boys and their Science Teacher, Mr. B. Chinyengere. According to their Class Representative, Kudakwashe Mususa, the objective of their visit was to “nourish and broaden our minds in scientific world and attain a deeper understanding of some of the biotechnical processes that we have only dealt with theoretically”.

The group was taken on a tour of BRI during which members of BRI showed, or explained to, the students techniques ranging from molecular biology, micro-propagation and tissue culture, to fermentation.

SIRDC Participates at ZITF 2006
SIRDC and its subsidiary company, SIRTECH Investments (Pvt.) Ltd, showcased their products and services at the country’s premier trade event, ZITF 2006, which took place from 25 to 29 April 2006. The SIRDC/SIRTECH stand could easily have qualified as a good example of the one-stop-shop concept because of the myriad of products and services that were being marketed there.

Vice President Mujuru Tours SIRDC
The Honorable Vice President Cde Joyce Mujuru visited SIRDC on 5 October 2005 to familiarize herself with the operations of the Centre. She was accompanied by the Honorable Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (S&T) Development, Cde Patrick Zhuwao, the Permanent Secretary in Vice President Mujuru’s Office, Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango and the Director of Projects and Programmes in the Ministry of S & T Development, Mrs Rungano Karimanzira. The Vice President was met by SIRDC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robson Mafoti and his executive

Zimbabweans Urged to Intensify Efforts in Biotechnology
The visiting USA biotechnology applications specialist, Professor Thomas de Gregori of the University of Houston urged Zimbabweans to intensify their efforts in biotechnology to enhance food security and health. Professor de Gregori made this call during his tour of SIRDC on 30 January 2006 and at a national public lecture he delivered at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) on 1 February 2006. Professor de Gregori was in the country at the invitation of President Robert Mugabe to share his vision, vast knowledge and experiences as well as stimulate debate in biotechnology. The public lecture was organized by the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS). The Minister of Science and Technology Development, Dr Olivia Muchena attended the public lecture.

SIRDC Makes Impressive Showing at Harare Agric Show ‘05
Taking into account the depressed state of the economy, the 2005 edition of the Harare Agricultural Show lived up to its theme and the hype in the mainstream media that preceded the event. The theme of the show this year was “It’s all alive in two-0-0-5” and Harare really came alive as all roads led to the Harare Exhibition Park, the traditional venue for the show. Show period covered August 22 to 27, 2005.

SIRDC and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Enter Joint Venture Deal
The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Center (SIRDC) ’s commercialization program recently got a much-needed financial boost when the research organization entered into a joint venture with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

SIRDC Constructs Model Rammed Earth House As Part of National Affordable Housing Provision Scheme.
After Operation Murambatsvina, SIRDC was invited to take part in the Operation Garikayi/Hlalani kuhle where Government was providing housing for the people affected by the clean-up exercise.

Sirtech Sells the SLATE Project to Ministry of Education
The Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Cde Aeneas Chigwedere, visited SIRDC on 16 February 2006 to get a clear understanding of the Science Laboratory and Teaching Equipment (SLATE) project and see how it can mitigate the equipment challenges being faced by schools in the teaching of science. Cde Chigwedere was accompanied by two high ranking officials in his Ministry: Mr Sylvester Matshaka who is the Deputy Director (Sport and Culture) and Mr Beavan Marima, the Education Officer for Mathematics and Science.

Sirtech Holds Workshop for Science Teachers

The recently launched SIRTECH Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture company between SIRDC and FINTRUST, hosted a workshop for science teachers in the Harare Province on January 31, 2006. At the workshop, SIRTECH presented its Science Laboratory and Teaching Equipment (SLATE) project. The participants turned out in large numbers, a sign of interest in, and the importance the schools attach to, the project that is set to revolutionise the teaching of science in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabweans Urged to Intensify Efforts in Biotechnology
The visiting USA biotechnology applications specialist, Professor Thomas de Gregori of the University of Houston urged Zimbabweans to intensify their efforts in biotechnology to enhance food security and health. Professor de Gregori made this call during his tour of SIRDC on 30 January 2006 and at a national public lecture

Zimbabwe, SA & Botswana Formulate Joint Research Plans
The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) teamed up with two other research and technologcal organisations in the Southern Africa region and established a formidable research group called the Regional Research Alliance (RRA). The other two members of the RRA are the Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC) and CSIR of South Africa.

Malawian Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Visist SIRDC
A mission from Malawi's newly formed Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology (S & T) visited Zimbabwe to learn from the experiences of its counterpart Ministry and other local organisations whose activities are in the S & T field. The Malawian delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Industry, Science and Technology, Honorable Charles Mchacha, also visited SIRDC to compare notes. The Malawian entourage included the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Patrick Kachimera, Director of S & T, Mr Henry Mbeza, and Mr Alfred Nkhoma who is based at the Malawian Embassy in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister for S & T Development, Honorable Patrick Zhuwao, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Vincent Hungwe and other directors in the Ministry accompanied the visitors to SIRDC.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Development Visits SIRDC
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (S & T) Development in the President's Office, Honorable Patrick Zhuwawo, visited SIRDC on 12 May 2005 to familiarize himself with the operations of the Center. Honorable Zhuwawo was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Vincent Hungwe, and the Director of Projects and Programmes, Mrs. Rungano Karimanzira. The delegation was met by SIRDC's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robson Mafoti, and members of his executive management team.

SIRDC Returns to ZITF with a Bang
SIRDC returned to the premier trade promotion event, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2005, in style after having acquired a standalone pavilion that complements the Centre's efforts in its commercialization thrust. The stand also befits SIRDC's status as the Centre of Excellence. The stand was acquired after years of participating at the ZITF first under the guise of the Ministry of Higher Education and later under the wing of the then Department of Science and Technology Development. SIRDC would like to take this opportunity and thank the two government ministries for affording it the chance to showcase its products and technologies under their umbrella.

SIRDC Takes Initiative in Low Cost Building Materials Provision
The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) is set to play its role in the provision of low cost building materials and construction technologies. Through its Building Technology Institute (BTI), SIRDC has perfected low cost roofing tiles and rammed earth building technology. The micro-concrete roofing (MCR) tiles and the rammed earth construction technology are set to revolutionise the building materials and construction sector in this country and the region.