The University of Zimbabwe: from this time on

Abstract

Over the last four days I have sat and listened and I have had a little time to reflect on the outstanding and well-argued papers that have been delivered and the high standard of discussion that we have witnessed at this Conference. I will not attempt to deal with individual contributions or individual comments made during this Conference. The University of Zimbabwe has had the opportunity of looking at itself critically, I hope, in the context of the broad Government thinking as articulated by the Prime Minister, and also with the benefit of national participants from outside the University and international participants we have been provided with an international dimension and experience. There can be no doubt that we stand to benefit enormously from this vast wealth of ideas and experience. If we can translate this wealth of ideas and experience into something concrete in our search for a new identity, then posterity can rightly regard this Conference as a major landmark in the history of the University marking the watershed between the past and the future. We are deeply indebted to aH the participants at this Conference. The Conference is on "The Role of the University and its Future in Zimbabwe". The core of the theme of the Conference is change. To focus on change is not to be oblivious of some of the good work of the past, after all the need for change is because of the past and the present. The focus of the Conference has been dictated mainly by the fact that it is with change that this institution will be preoccupied right now as a matter of urgency and for a long time to come in the future. We are treated to a masterly and penetrating analysis of change by Professor Asavia Wandira in his keynote address on "The University in Times of Change".