Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavima has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Microsoft EMEA Regional Business Leader, Mark East for the multi-billion dollar American company to assist Zimbabwe’s education sector in creating modern classrooms that drive innovation, performance, and growth during the sidelines of the 8th annual Innovation Africa in Harare today.
The Innovation Africa is running from the 28 to 30 November 2018.
Speaking at the signing ceremony the Microsoft Business Leader said, “For Africa to gain a prominent place in the 21st-century economy, the core ingredients to its digital education transformation recipe must include connectivity, digital literacy, and the ability to code. Similarly, if we are to truly invest in the human capital of the future, we must priorities the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning for all students.”
“We are glad to be entering this into this vital partnership which will see the education system in Zimbabwe transform.”
The MOU is for Microsoft to assist the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in identifying the ideal device for specific digital education strategy.
Microsoft will also assist the Ministry in building partnerships with international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and provide consultancy services in building a local assembly strategy.
“At Microsoft, we are committed to empowering the next generation of Africans by building skills that focus on STEM as well as collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and cooperation,” a press release from the company says. “We do this by providing access to technology and giving young people tools to support their learning.”
Microsoft will also seek additional avenues of increasing internet connectivity in rural areas and teacher development initiatives to equip future generations.
Speaking at a side interview with bhizimusi.com, the education minister commented on Innovation Africa and said the summit went beyond expectation just by the people who have turned up.
“About 34 African countries are represented,” Mavima said. “Over 50 international companies are here with the number of delegates reaching about 500 high-level people.”
