Transforming Communities: The Role of Great Zimbabwe University as an Anchor Institution through Community Engagement

by Hardson Kwandayi (Zimbabwe)

OUTLINE: Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) serves as a strong example of how universities can act as anchor institutions by driving community engagement and fostering local development. Through initiatives such as grain processing and free-range poultry production, GZU contributes to poverty reduction and stimulates economic growth in Masvingo province. The university empowers local farmers by involving them as outgrowers, thereby strengthening agricultural sustainability. This approach aligns with Zimbabwe's Education 5.0 policy, which prioritises community service, innovation, and industrialisation. Key strategies, including capacity building workshops and improved market access, demonstrate how committed leadership and effective partnerships can drive meaningful socio-economic transformation in rural communities.

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