Scholastica Expo 2025 officially opens in Bulawayo
ALL is set for the official opening of the Scholastica Expo 2025 today (Thursday) at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) in Bulawayo.
The event, which is the first standalone edition in over a decade, is running under the theme, “Empowering Future Generations Through Heritage-Based Education and Innovation”.
The Expo kicked off on Wednesday and attracted over 5,000 participants from across Zimbabwe, with close to 50 exhibitors showcasing their products and services.
Our Senior Reporter, Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Chief Photographer, Eliah Saushoma will be giving us live updates from the event.
Experts to share insights on bridging skills gap, fostering innovation
Before the official opening, there will be several high-profile speakers who will present papers on various topics after welcome remarks by the ZITF company chief executive officer, Dr Nicholas Ndebele.
Junior Minister of Education Bonginkosi Lunga will present a paper on the topic ‘Building a Future that Works for Us: A Youth Perspective,’ and soon after her presentation Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will take to the podium to address delegates on the role of Industry and Commerce in shaping Zimbabwe’s future.
Thereafter, there will be a panel discussion on the topic ‘Developing a Future-Fit Workforce: What Industry Needs Now….and Next.”
Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni, Deputy Chairperson, Public Service Commission (PSC), Professor Eddie Mwenje, Vice Chancellor, Bindura University of Science Education, Dr Busiso Mtunzi, Executive Dean – Faculty of Engineering, National University of Science and Technology (Nust), Dr Cornelius Dube, Chief Economist, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and Mr Unathi Nyoni, Deputy Board Chairperson, Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) will be the keynote speakers during the panel discussion, set to be moderated by Mr Patrick Maseko an Innovation and Entrepreneurship champion.
After the panel discussion, Chief Dakamela and Ms Sunga Mzeche will then speak on how Heritage-Based Education cultivates economic resilience before His Excellency Zhou Ding, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Zimbabwe, takes to the podium to present a paper on ‘Fostering Innovation and Talent Competitiveness: Lessons from China’s Education and Industrial Transformation.’
Skills Audit and Development Minister Dr Paul Mavima will be the final speaker, where he will speak on the topic, ‘Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning Education with Industry Demands: A Policy Perspective.’
“We are the now, not just tomorrow”: Lunga tells youths to rise to opportunities
Youth have been urged to seize the opportunities available to them at the ongoing Scholastica Expo.
The call was made by Junior Parliament’s Minister of Education, Bonginkosi Lunga, during his presentation on ‘Building a Future that Works for Us: A Youth Perspective’ at the Scholastica Conference in Hall Two.
“To the youths present and absent today, I say let us rise to these opportunities, the bridges that connect dreams to reality. When barriers are broken down and doors opened wide, we unlock the potential for every individual, empowering a generation ready to innovate, lead and creating a lasting change,” said Lunga.
He said while President Mnangagwa’s mantra is Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo,’ as youths there is Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabantwana balo.
“We are often referred to as the tomorrow, yet we are the now. But just as the flame does not become a fire on its own as it needs the warmth of older flames to grow. We cannot create on our own as the youths, but we need to help of our elders,” said Lunga.
He said a nation is not built by bricks and mortar alone but by dreams, voices and actions of its children, adding that the youths are the hands that will shape tomorrow.
Zimbabweans urged to embrace culture and heritage as key to meaningful development
ZIMBABWEANS need to redefine themselves by being proud of their culture and heritage if they are to realise any meaningful development, a traditional leader has said.
Contributing at the Scholastica Conference, which is being held concurrently with the Scholastica Expo 2025, Nkayi’s Chief Dakamela said the country cannot proceed to develop as long as citizens are not defining themselves as to who they are.
The Chief was one of the two panelists on the topic, “Beyond the relics: How heritage-based education cultivates economic resilience.”
“Other nations like China and Britain are so particular about their culture and heritage, everything they do aligns with their culture, they do not make a mistake about that. If you look at us now, we are presenting on heritage, but look at what everyone is putting on, it’s all because the British invested so much in their heritage and culture,” said Chief Dakamela.
He said there is a need, therefore, to redefine how things are done and that means jealously guarding heritage and culture.
Chief Dakamela expressed satisfaction with the Heritage-Based curriculum, describing it as a good thing that will help in the preservation of the nation’s heritage and culture.
“I am happy that conversations around heritage and culture are starting to emerge because I think that is where we were losing it as a country,” said Chief Dakamela.
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