Fund for Academia Literature Development lying idle- Minister

Chinhoyi- The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Prof Amon Murwira has revealed that a fund meant for literature development has been lying idle for the past three years, at his ministry.

Officially opening the 5th International conference on Innovation, Industrialization Growth and Sustainable Development, hosted by Chinhoyi University of Technology, Prof Murwira said that most higher institutes of learning, do complain about having empty and outdated libraries when they shy from literature development, themselves.

"We have people coming to us indicating that books in their libraries are old and i would say to them, i thought you are Professors, why would you not write the books yourselves, why would you want a professor in Columbia, to write books for you? ," he said.

"We wrote to vice chancellors, that if anyone wants to write a book, we have money to finance them, but for the past three years we have been waiting for takers of that money, but nobody came and took it" he revealed.

Professor Murwira said Chinhoyi University of Technology should continue producing products and graduates that should dominate the technology and industrial sectors, in the country.

The conference coincided with the University`s 20th Anniversary celebrations.

"Our grand plan as Zimbabwe is that our education should be a supplier of goods and solutions to the various sectors of our economy, and as we celebrate your 20^th anniversary, let this university`s education drive, dominate the technology sector," he said.

Mashonaland West Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the university is contributing towards the government`s development goals.

"This university has made the government proud year in, year out and has made huge strides in promoting industrialization, through producing sort after products and services, for the people and the nation" she said.

United States of America`s Professor, Ralph House from North Carolina University at Chapel Hill, said he was looking forward to an educative and insightful conference.

"I am looking forward to an exciting and very educative insight as we exchange learning notes throughout the conference and i also look forward to continue enjoying the friendly environment of this beautiful country" he said

By Elvis Dumba