Bhubaneswar: The Centurion University flagged off a unique training programme for Zimbabwe government officers here on Friday.
The Zimbabwe government-sponsored initiative, a significant milestone for international skill development and capacity building, has been facilitated under the long-term partnership between Centurion University and Republic of Zimbabwe, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of South-South collaboration and knowledge exchange, a university press release stated.
A high-level delegation from Zimbabwe, comprising esteemed officials from the Presidential and National Scholarships Department in the Office of the President and Cabinet, was present at the launch event.
The visiting delegation included — Raymond Machingura, Executive Director; Dr W. Kachere, Chief Director; P. Manyange, Director; P. Hobwani, Head of Chancery; Davison Mhaka, Managing Director – CMED; Stephen Mavura, General Manager – CMED.
Brahma Kumar, Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, played a key role in supporting and facilitating the collaboration.
Seventy-one mid-career Zimbabwean government officers are undergoing training at Centurion University’s Jatni Campus. Over the next two years, 2,000 officers will be trained.
The programme focuses on developing competencies in key sectors such as power, electric vehicles and automotive, apparel and textiles, and agriculture, equipping participants with industry-relevant skills that will drive sustainable economic growth in Zimbabwe.
Sampad Chandra Swain, Odisha’s Minister of State, Industries Department and Skill Development and Technical Education, highlighted the significance of this collaboration.
“Centurion University’s commitment to skill development and experiential learning is exemplary. This initiative is not only about training individuals but about building a robust workforce that can lead Zimbabwe’s industries towards innovation and self-reliance,” said Swain.
Monalisha Ghosh, Director of International Relations and Government Partnerships at Centurion University, expressed pride in hosting the delegation and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the partnership with Zimbabwe.
“India has always been committed to capacity building in Africa. This collaboration with Centurion University is a testament to our shared vision for sustainable growth and skill enhancement,” said Ghosh.
President of the University Professor Mukti Kanta Mishra, Vice-Chancellor Dr Supriya Pattanayak and Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Ajay Nayak were present at the event.
