AUDREY MASHINGAIDZE
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – The Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) held a five day robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capacity building boot camp at its Mashava Campus.
The boot camp was officially opened by the university’s Vice Chancellor, professor Rungano Zvobgo on Monday and ended today.
He said the boot camp aims to empower the next generation of innovators and align with Zimbabwe’s new education initiatives, including the Heritage-Based Education 2024-2030 Curriculum Framework and the Education 5.0 model in higher and tertiary education.
Prof Zvobgo added that they are partnering with World Robot Olympiad, Girls in STEM Trust, National Association of School Heads (NASH) and Bulawayo Tech Hub on the boot camp.
Participants include Helen McGhie and Chiredzi primary schools, Masvingo Christian College, Zimuto, Ndarama and Dewure high schools, Midlands State University (MSU), GZU and individual participants.
“We are delighted to be part of the unique opportunity to learn and enhance technology .This is an investment towards the bright future of not just the participants but the nation at large.
“This partnership is worthwhile considering the knowledge and skills which we will acquire at the end of the camp and it will not be the last but the beginning of technological advancement in the country,” he said
Bulawayo Tech Hub Assistant Manager, Glenda Ncube said participants should be able to know what AI is, its ethical considerations and what it is used for.
“After this five day training participants will be able to use technology at an advanced stage which will prove to be an advantage because times are changing and we should change along with it,” she said
NASH Masvingo province chairperson, Dr Edson Muresherwa who also attended the launch said the boot camp is necessary because the country is lagging behind in AI and robotics.
“While we try innovation using our minds other nations make use of robots and we should try hard to move together with them. We are lagging far behind and this initiative is one of the steps towards us having knowledge and skills in technology,” he said.