The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has resolved to collaborate with Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) in a partnership expected to expand specialist health services while providing students with practical training and creating opportunities for joint research and innovation.
The partnership will see BUSE working with the council’s Health Services Department in clinical services, teaching, research, innovation, technology development, community engagement and capacity building.
According to the latest council minutes, the collaboration will initially facilitate the provision of specialist optometry services while allowing BUSE students to undertake attachments, internships, work-related learning and supervised professional practice at council health facilities.
“The Health Services Department was in engagement with Bindura University of Science Education to establish a strategic framework for collaboration in clinical services, teaching, research, innovation, technology development, community engagement and capacity building,” the minutes read.
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The council said the partnership would benefit the city by tapping into BUSE’s research and innovation expertise to develop healthcare solutions suited to local communities.
“Bindura University of Science and Technology brought into the hat a wealth of experience in research and innovation which would be pivotal in the delivery of tailor-made health care solutions to the communities across the city,” the minutes read.
For BUSE, the partnership will provide students with practical learning opportunities while strengthening professional development through staff exchanges, mentorship, specialised training and knowledge-sharing programmes.
The two institutions will also collaborate on research and publications, innovation and technology transfer, digital health initiatives and community outreach programmes focusing on health promotion, disease prevention and public health awareness.
The partnership will further allow the council and BUSE to jointly mobilise financial, technical and material resources from Government, industry, development partners and research funding agencies.
Council said the collaboration was in line with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works’ strategic direction of promoting partnerships between local authorities and academic institutions to improve service delivery and socio-economic development.
It also aligns with the Government’s Education 5.0 policy, which promotes the application of education, research and innovation to address societal challenges.
As part of the partnership, BUSE requested office space at Mzilikazi Clinic to facilitate its operations.
The Town Planning Department identified office space at the clinic and recommended a monthly rental of US$100, inclusive of rent, water and electricity.
However, councillors raised concerns over the proposed rental, citing that it might be too low.
The council legal department advised that the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions had not yet been signed, leaving room to review the proposed rental arrangements.
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