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Herbert Zharare
Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) has embarked on various construction projects and property acquisition for it to meet its mandate of being a technology, innovation and entrepreneurship university. In e-mailed responses the university’s director of marketing and public relations, Dr Musekiwa Tapera said the university has embarked on huge construction projects, which include the Engineering Complex, Dean’s block and a number of laboratories. The institution is also embarking on the construction of the Institute of Materials, which is envisaged to be the hub of material sciences, metallurgy and mining engineering in Zimbabwe.

“Building materials are now in place to start the construction of the Institute. It is the vision of the institution that these projects will enhance its capacity to provide learning and leading space for its students as well as space for laboratories and workshops, which are critical drivers for technology and engineering education.

“The university is also working with the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe in the construction of student hostels in view of the fact that there is an accommodation crisis in universities across the country. In all these projects, CUT is partly relying on its own resources and savings as a growth and development strategy. It has also established the Pro Vice-Chancellors office responsible for Business Development and Resources Mobilisation with a specific responsibility to mobilise resources and create a business culture in the entire institution,” said Dr Tapera.

He said the university has embarked on fundraising programmes, some of which have seen funds being injected into these construction projects. He said CUT is working with development partners such as IDBZ and other commercial banks on Build Operate Transfer schemes.

“CUT is purchasing properties in and around Chinhoyi a few years ago resulting in the acquisition of Orange Groove Motel, Dilmitris building in town, the Shankuru Postgraduate Centre and houses in Chinhoyi and Alaska. Recently, CUT acquired the Kariba Country Club, which will be used as a School of Hospitality and Tourism Recreation Centre and Research Centre for aquatics, conservation and ecology research. The university also acquired a huge property along Boabab Avenue for the accommodation of its scholars and researchers,” he said.

Dr Tapera said the institution desires to play its part in reviving Kariba as a prime tourist destination and transform it into a modern fisheries hub through research. The university is also eyeing expansion into Kadoma in its quest to have a multi-campus approach in tandem with its 2016 -2020 strategic plan. The university established its own building brigade that has assisted the institution in the construction of six houses for senior staff such as Professors and other senior academics.