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Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Dr Godfrey Gandawa receives one the awards from Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe during teh ZITF 2016

Nqobile Tshili

THE Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development’s STEM-themed stand at the 2016 edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair won big — claiming gold medals for Best Zimbabwean Exhibit in Education and Training and the President’s Award for Supreme Zimbabwean Exhibit.It was the first time a ministry has won the President’s Award in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair’s 57 editions.

Dr Godfrey Gandawa, the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, was on standby to receive the trophy from guest of honour, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.

Troika Designs, who put together the ministry’s stand, won a ZITF gold medal.

For the big prize, the Ministry beat the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the National University of Science and Technology into second and third place respectively.

The designers set about creating a stand of aesthetically alluring finish, decorated with high tech gizmos and HD screens — all immersed in the Ministry’s STEM theme, the new mantra in Higher Education.

Commented Dr Gandawa: “There were many sleepless nights spent putting together our stand. In our minds, we were not angling for any prizes but putting up a stand that reflects and promotes arguably the most important national programme of this generation — the realignment of our national curriculum to be biased towards technology and engineering.

“We’re grateful to the ZITF for the recognition which is quite historic as I understand it was the first time a ministry of government has win the President’s Award.”