ZINIRE Symposium Highlights Collaboration Between Students and Solution Providers in Rock Engineering
At the Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering’s (ZINIRE) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium held at the School of Mines in Bulawayo on Saturday, Vice President Omberai Mandingaisa emphasized the crucial need for collaboration between industry solution providers and students.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Mandingaisa urged solution providers to consider their role in educating and preparing young engineers, highlighting the importance of providing platforms for upcoming rock engineers to understand industry products and developments.
Speaking at ZINIRE’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium at the School of Mines in Bulawayo on Saturday, Mandingaisa highlighted the critical need for collaboration, urging solution providers to consider how they could contribute to educating and preparing young Engineers.
“We need to bring these upcoming rock engineers to a platform where they understand these products,” Mandingaisa said.
“My challenge to you is, what are you going to do? What is the art of the possible? How can you help these youngsters understand the products, the development, and your line of thinking?” he said.
Mandingaisa stressed the importance of passing on knowledge and experience to the younger generation, noting that Gen Z’s innate technological skills have the potential to revolutionize the industry if given the right guidance and opportunities.
“We need to impart the knowledge we’ve got, our line of thinking, so they can mix it with the technology they know and make the next generation of products,” he said.
Ope Muranda, the Vice President of the Association of Junior Mining Professionals of Zimbabwe (AJMPZ), echoed these sentiments in his speech. He outlined the strong benefits of collaboration between academics and industry professionals, emphasizing how it can bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“The collaboration between academics and industry professionals has a strong benefit to both the present and the future of rock engineering,” Muranda said. “Innovative solutions and improvements in the practice of rock engineering are the most likely outcomes from these collaborative efforts since most of the effort is centered on improving the efficiency of industrial projects.”
Muranda stressed that such collaborations force academics to maintain a strong connection to practical applications of their work, keeping them current with industry trends. Meanwhile, industry professionals benefit from learning about the latest research findings. This exchange of knowledge, experience, and ideas is crucial for developing innovative solutions and best practices.
“Internships and job placements can help students develop professional skills and industry networks, transitioning from theory to practical applications,” Muranda added. “This gives the industry an opportunity to gain access to fresh talent and potential future employees.”
Muranda also highlighted the importance of collaborative or industry-funded research projects. These projects can accelerate the development and implementation of new technologies in rock engineering, providing academics with funding and resources that might otherwise be unavailable. In turn, the industry can directly influence research priorities, benefiting from the results of these projects.
The symposium concluded with a call to action for all participants to actively engage in fostering these collaborations, ensuring that the future of rock engineering in Zimbabwe is bright and innovative.
ZINIRE held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium at the School of Mines in Bulawayo on the 20th of July, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between students and industry solution providers in rock engineering.
The symposium was a significant gathering for the rock engineering community, bringing together professionals, academics, and students to discuss the future of the industry in Zimbabwe.