Zimbabwe’s young engineers have been urged to take the lead in creating bold and practical solutions to address the country’s industrial challenges.
The call came during the National Engineering Students Awards for Research and Innovation (NESARI), where students showcased creative projects aimed at improving technology and industry performance.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Dr Busiso Mthunzi, said the competition was a step toward strengthening the country’s industrial sector.
“This is a move and a decision that was made to focus on challenges faced by industrialists in the country. Competitions like NESARI are not just about winning, they are about learning and shaping the future of the industry in Zimbabwe. Ideas come to life and collaboration thrives. We are in an era where the challenges we face, whether environmental, economic, or social, require bold solutions,” said Mthunzi.
The competition was held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo on Friday, bringing together students, academics, and industry leaders to celebrate research and innovation in engineering.
NESARI Chairperson, Dr Engineer Mary Chikuruwo, said this year’s event ran under the theme “Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable and Smart Future.” She said the theme reflected a shared commitment to harnessing technology and engineering excellence in pursuit of national growth.
“When NESARI was established, the vision was clear, to create a platform where students, researchers, and industry can collaborate to solve real industrial challenges. It is a bridge that connects the classroom to the factory floor, the laboratory to the field, and the student innovator to the industrial leader,” said Chikuruwo.
Engineer Lloyd Ndlovu added that the future of Zimbabwe’s engineering sector depended on creating more spaces for innovation.
“The future we envision should be sustainable, smart, and inclusive. This is not beyond our reach as a country. Universities should continue creating laboratories for engineers to propel and prosper,” said Ndlovu.
In the competition, several universities showcased innovative projects under different topics aimed at solving real industrial problems.
On the NetOne Topic 2, which focused on designing and developing a mobile-based ticketing application that enables field engineers to report equipment faults, log maintenance activities, and track resolution status, NUST Team B emerged as the winner.
For the topic titled “The Development of an AI-Powered Tool for Aggregating and Matching Tobacco Grades to Higher Export Requirements,” the Harare Institute of Technology took first place, demonstrating the potential of artificial intelligence in improving agricultural exports.
In the category on the design and cost comparison of using lattice and tubular steel and concrete structures in transmission and substation designs, NUST Team C excelled with an impressive presentation that focused on cost efficiency and structural innovation.
NUST Team A also stood out under the topic on the reuse of waste generated from water treatment processes, showcasing sustainable ways to manage industrial waste and protect the environment.
Lastly, on NetOne Topic 1, which focused on the design and development of an application that leverages deep learning models to analyse network traffic and accurately detect anomalies indicative of potential failures or security threats in real time, the Chinhoyi University of Technology claimed the top prize.
The NESARI competitions continue to inspire young engineers to think creatively and work together towards building a modern, sustainable, and industrialised Zimbabwe.
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