A delegation from Zimbabwe’s education sector visited The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) in Guwahati as part of efforts to strengthen academic ties and gain insights into India’s higher education landscape. The group included senior officials from Zimbabwe’s Tertiary Education and Innovation departments and aimed to explore avenues for institutional collaboration.
The visiting delegation comprised D.C. Damba, Director of the Tertiary Education Programme; E. Chiwandika (Marara), Principal Officer, Higher Education Programme; Mr. Magunda, Principal Officer, Tertiary Education Programme; and Mr. Mbokochena, Principal Officer, Innovation, Science and Technology. Their visit included a tour of the university’s academic infrastructure, laboratories, and innovation spaces.
The interaction took place at the university’s Synergy Hall, where the delegation engaged in discussions with university officials, including Vice Chancellor Alak Kumar Buragohain, Registrar Diganta Munshi, Academic Registrar D.N. Singh, Deputy Director of International Affairs Gurpreet Kaur Anand, as well as deans and faculty members. The conversation focused on shared priorities in innovation, practical learning, and sustainable education practices.
Vice Chancellor Buragohain welcomed the delegation and spoke about the potential for long-term collaboration. He noted that the university offers scholarships for international students, including those from Zimbabwe, and highlighted the importance of combining traditional education approaches with contemporary academic frameworks.
Director D.C. Damba expressed interest in India’s progress in science and technology education. He noted that Zimbabwe is shifting away from colonial-era education models and is prioritising new approaches that focus on research and innovation. Describing his visit to RGU, he said it offered a unique academic environment compared to institutions he had visited in countries such as Russia, China, and France.
Principal Officer Chiwandika highlighted Zimbabwe’s efforts to introduce more practical and skills-based education. She noted that observing India’s education system had provided useful insights and expressed interest in establishing formal academic collaborations to benefit students in both countries.
Commenting on the future direction of Zimbabwe’s education system, Mr. Magunda said the country aims to create an education model rooted in local knowledge and heritage. He emphasised the importance of aligning economic development with people-centric and self-reliant education systems.
Mr. Mbokochena underlined the need for innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers for Zimbabwe’s development. He pointed to the importance of start-up ecosystems, research-led initiatives, and the adoption of technology in education.
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