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.

The Ministry of S & T Development, which was elevated to a fully-fledged Ministry in the last cabinet reshuffle, is SIRDC' s parent Ministry.

SIRDC Directors of institutes made brief presentations of their institutes, highlighting their core activities to give the Minister an insight into the work programs of the Center. The institute overviews presented by the Directors were complemented by a tour of some of the research laboratories to afford the Minister the opportunity to see the research facilities and some of the research work in progress.

The Minister said that he was quite impressed by what he saw, particularly the commercialization focus that would see the Center become self-reliant with time. He added that the research was not only demand or need driven but was also in line with national goals. The Minister pledged to support the Center in all its endeavors so could realize its vision of reducing every innovation to practice.