Education and technology ministers from across Southern Africa will gather in Harare next week for a crucial SADC meeting that aims to transform the region’s approach to education and technological development.
The high-level summit, set for June 20, will evaluate current policies and set new directions for human capital growth and innovation across the 16-nation bloc.
Under the leadership of Zimbabwe’s Higher Education Minister Dr. Frederick Shava, delegates will examine several critical areas.
They will assess the development of the SADC University of Transformation, an ambitious project designed to foster entrepreneurship and facilitate technology transfer throughout the region.
The meeting will also finalise the Regional Higher Education Strategic Framework, which will serve as a blueprint for institutional advancement across member states.
The agenda includes updating technical education policies to better prepare students for contemporary challenges like climate change and the digital revolution.
Ministers will review progress on implementing the 2017 Science and Technology Protocol, which seeks to strengthen regional cooperation in these vital fields.
Additional focus areas include strategies to preserve Indigenous Knowledge Systems and initiatives to increase female participation in STEM careers.
“This gathering represents a pivotal moment for our region’s future,” noted SADC Deputy Executive Secretary Angèle Makombo N’tumba.
“The policies we establish here will determine how effectively we equip our young people with the skills needed in tomorrow’s job market.”
The meeting comes amid growing concerns about foundational education standards and the need to better align academic programs with evolving economic requirements.
Preparatory sessions will begin on June 17 with technical meetings, followed by a high-level dialogue on June 19 addressing literacy and numeracy challenges across Southern Africa.
With nearly half of SADC’s 340 million citizens under 18 years old, the summit’s outcomes could influence human resource development for generations to come.
The decisions made in Harare will contribute to SADC’s broader 2050 development vision, which prioritises education and innovation as key drivers of regional progress.
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