- Zimbabwe joined global celebrations of World Engineering Day.
- Engineers were urged to drive innovation and national development.
- ZIE called for professionalism and registration with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe.
ZIMBABWE recently took part in the global celebration of World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, where engineers called for innovation and responsible practices to foster national development.
This annual event, recognised by UNESCO and celebrated on March 4, spotlights the vital role of engineering in tackling global challenges and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof. Eng. William Msekiwa Goriwondo, president of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE), addressed fellow engineers, underscoring the profession’s crucial role in creating a sustainable society.
“Engineering is more than solving problems,” he said.
“It drives solutions that improve quality of life, from water systems to digital technologies and renewable energy.”
Goriwondo urged Zimbabwean engineers to contribute to modernising infrastructure and bolstering economic growth.
“Engineering expertise is essential in modernising systems and enhancing the economy,” he said.
He also illustrated how engineers can support the government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which aims at economic growth, industrialisation, and infrastructure development from 2026 – 2030.
Zimbabwe has set its sights on becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030, a target that depends on improved infrastructure and industrial capacity.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Chinhoyi University of Technology reaffirmed the engineering oath taken by professionals and graduates.
“World Engineering Day is more than a celebration; it is a pledge to harness knowledge for good, to innovate with purpose, and to leave a legacy that future generations will be proud to inherit,” he noted.
Goriwondo also mentioned a recent ZIE National Hackathon that saw two student winners who went on to represent Zimbabwe at the UNESCO-WHO World Engineering Day celebrations in Jakarta.
He explained that this initiative brings together students and young professionals to create solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“These programmes allow young engineers to design practical solutions to real-world problems,” he said.
Goriwondo also encouraged engineers who aren’t officially registered to sort out their status with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ).
Being registered ensures that engineers uphold professional standards and possess a valid practising licence in line with Zimbabwe’s engineering regulatory framework, as outlined by ECZ guidelines.
“Engineering must remain a cornerstone of national development and a beacon of hope for future generations,” he said.
