Mupfure Industrial College is embracing a shift from traditional theoretical instruction to hands-on, practical training, in line with Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model aimed at fostering innovation, research, and industrialisation.
Speaking in a recent interview, Amon Chipise, a lecturer at the institution, said the college is committed to equipping students with practical skills that directly contribute to national development and community empowerment.
“We are moving away from theory and focusing more on practical training. We want to produce students who can innovate, establish industries, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth and the national GDP,” he said.
Chipise noted that the college is training students to create tangible products, particularly in the leather industry. Students are taught to design and manufacture a wide range of leather goods, combining creativity with technical expertise to meet local market needs.
“Our curriculum is based on Education 5.0. We nurture and develop our students through a focus on research and innovation. We encourage them to make products that are significant for community development,” he said.
The Education 5.0 philosophy promotes five pillars: teaching, research, community service, innovation, and industrialisation. Mupfure Industrial College is among the institutions leading the way in putting this vision into action.
Chipise highlighted the wide variety of courses offered at the college, which cater to different technical and vocational interests. These include Agriculture, Textile Technology, Motor Mechanics, Diesel Plant Fitting, Woodwork, Plumbing, Bricklaying, and Tourism.
“We have a variety of courses available, and we make sure that each one aligns with practical output. Whether it is a student working on a diesel engine or making furniture, we focus on producing goods and services that matter,” he said.
The college is also working on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students by encouraging them to think beyond employment and explore business creation and industrial start-ups.
“Our ultimate goal is to help students not only find jobs but also create them. By promoting innovation and production, we are laying the groundwork for homegrown industries,” he said.
As Zimbabwe pushes for an education system that drives industrial growth and self-sufficiency, Mupfure Industrial College’s approach stands as a model of how skills training can contribute directly to economic development.
