SIRDC In the News
National
Metrology Institute Spreads its Tentacles in the Region
The National Metrology Institute (NMI) of SIRDC is confidently spreading
its tentacles in the region buoyed up by its success locally and the quality
service it provides to its legion of clients. Its capabilities and competence
in metrology are increasingly being recognized in the region. Recently,
NMI conducted training for two senior officials from the Mozambique National
Metrology Institute for Standardisation and Quality. Mr Geraldo Albasini,
the Head of the Metrology Department, and Mr Carlos Bacaimane underwent
an intensive train-the-trainer programme that was tailored to build metrology
capacity in Mozambique in the areas of volume and mass metrology. The
hands on training was conducted from 6 – 31 August 2007.
Zimbabwe Staff College
Visits Sirdc
The Zimbabwe Staff College’s Joint Command
and Staff Course No 20 cadets visited SIRDC on 9 March 2007 on an educational
tour. The delegation which was led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mashingaidze,
included students from military and law enforcement establishments in
the region. Foreign students on the course included nationals from Angola,
Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa Tanzania and Zambia. The Zimbabwe
Staff College courses, which develop senior officers, are very popular
and highly regarded in the region. SIRDC’s Executive Director Technical,
Dr Leonard Madzingaidzo and the management team met the delegation.
SIRDC Crafts Strategic Plan for 2007-9
The sages say that, “If you fail to plan,
you plan to fail.” Further, pundits also say that firemen spend
only about a tenth of their time actually putting out fires but they should
always have a forward plan and be prepared. Planning ahead is important.
It was not raining when Noah built the Ark. To avoid the former scenario
and emulate the firemen and Noah, the SIRDC management went on a retreat
in Kariba in mid February 2007 to craft a strategic plan that will be
the road map to its future for the next three years spanning 2007-2009.
One cannot plan for every eventuality but one should at least have a plan;
crisis situations should be the exceptions rather than the rule.
Research Council of Zimbabwe Holds S & T Symposium
The eighth edition of the Research Council of
Zimbabwe (RCZ) Science and Technology (S & T) Symposium held on 31
January and 1 February 2007 was an important event on the calendar of
the scientific community in Zimbabwe. The University of Zimbabwe hosted
the two-day event, which also drew participation from regional scientists.
The Acting President, Cde Joice Mujuru, was the guest of honour at the
ceremony. The Minister of Science and technology Development, Honourable
Dr Olivia Muchena, other high-ranking government officials and eminent
scientists also witnessed the occasion. The theme of the symposium was
“Knowledge Based Development for Zimbabwe”.
Nyashanu High School’s
Educational Tour to SIRDC
SIRDC continues to host students on educational
visits, affording them an opportunity to see how applied research is carried
out at this high level. The visits also motivate the students, inspire
them to excel in their studies and give them ideas about some of the science
careers they can pursue to help make Zimbabwe a winning nation. Recently,
Nyashanu High School A-Level agricultural students visited the Centre
on 30 March 2007 to learn more about the Centre’s agriculture related
activities. The 14 students from Buhera in Manicaland province were accompanied
by their Agriculture Teacher and Acting Deputy Head, Mr Francis Mushonga,
and Science Teacher, Ms Memory Temba.
Import Substitution and Value Addition Expo Held
The setting was the Harare Exhibition Park and
the event was the inaugural Import Substitution and Value Addition (IS-VA)
Expo held from 9 to 16 November 2006. The National Economic Development
Priority Programme’s task force on IS-VA organized and coordinated
this expo under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry and International
Trade.
Parliamentarians Visit SIRDC
A 50-strong delegation comprising members of the
House of Assembly and Senators visited SIRDC in November 2006 to familiarize
itself with the operations of the institution.
Cosmonaut Urges Zimbabwe to Embrace Space Technology
Stories of astronauts travelling to space and
staying there for months would undoubtedly sound more like science fiction
to many people in the developing countries. How would you feel if you
were to rub shoulders with someone who has been to space and has experienced
weightlessness?
SIRDC Board Tours the Centre's Research Laboratories
The recently appointed SIRDC Board of Directors toured the Centre on 19
October 2006 to familiarize themselves with the activities of the Centre.
SIRDC
has a New Board
The Minister of Science and Technology Development, Dr Olivia
Muchena introduced members of the new SIRDC board to SIRDC Management
on 23 February 2006. The 13-member Board is chaired by Physicist, Professor
Pheneas Makhurane. Professor Makhurane is the former Vice Chancellor of
the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). He is now Technical
Advisor to the National Council for Higher Education. Professor Sarah
Feresu, a Biologist, is the Vice Chairperson of the Board. She is currently
with the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Zimbabwe.
Message from the Director General
The Director General Dr Mafoti unveiled a new
vision for the SIRDC that will lead the Center in its new challenges.
The vision mainly focuses on the commercialisation of the Center's activities
to enable to wean it from the Government's support.
SIRDC
and Destiny Electronics Forge Strategic Alliance
SIRDC and Destiny Electronics signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) on 7 February 2006. The MOU signed at SIRDC would
enable the two organizations to carry out joint projects in areas of mutual
interest. Dr Robson Mafoti, the Chief Executive Officer of SIRDC and Mr
Kenzias Chibota, the Managing Director of Destiny Electronics signed the
MOU on behalf of their respective organizations.