The Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, and with support from FAWE Africa and the Mastercard Foundation, successfully handed over laptops to 192 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) bursary awardees under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme.

Held in Harare, the ceremony marked a significant milestone in advancing digital inclusion particularly for marginalized young women and men enrolled in STEM-related programmes across Zimbabwe.

Empowering a New Generation Through Digital Access

The laptop handover is part of a broader academic support package designed to enhance students’ learning experiences through improved access to digital and online resources, strengthened research capacity, and increased participation in blended and technology-enabled education.

The 192 programme participants comprising 152 females and 40 males are currently enrolled across six institutions: Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe, and Harare Polytechnics, as well as Belvedere Technical Teachers College. Notably, the cohort includes 10 persons with disability and 13 refugees, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive education.

Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Ambassador Dr. Fredrick M. Shava, the Permanent Secretary, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, underscored the transformative value of the initiative:

“These devices we are handing over today are not merely pieces of equipment; they are gateways to knowledge, innovation, and opportunity. They will enable our students to access digital learning platforms, conduct research, build technical competencies, and fully participate in the modern knowledge economy.”

He further emphasized the significance of investing in young people in a rapidly evolving world:

“In this digital era, access to tools such as laptops is no longer a luxury it is a necessity.”

The programme participants were selected through a comprehensive, transparent, and multi-tiered national process. The process involved Provincial and National Selection Committees comprising representatives from key government ministries, TVET institutions, and development partners.

To ensure fairness and inclusivity, the selection incorporated structured scoring systems, gender and regional equity considerations, and deliberate inclusion measures for persons with disability and refugees. Final selections were validated through home verification visits.

The Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Mercy Dinha, commended the integrity of the process:

“The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare commends the rigorous work of the provincial and national selection committees whose efforts ensured fairness and inclusivity in selecting the 192 bursary recipients. This cohort reflects our national commitment to gender equity… and supports Vision 2030 of leaving no one and no place behind.”

Aligning with Global and National Priorities

The event also served as a belated commemoration of International Girls in ICT Day 2026, observed globally under the theme: “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future.”

In his remarks, Professor Tagwira highlighted the importance of addressing gender disparities in technology:

“Through placing digital tools into the hands of young women, who make up the majority of this cohort, we are actively bridging the digital divide and unlocking their potential to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Girls are not just participants in the digital future they are leaders and innovators shaping it.”

The initiative aligns strongly with Zimbabwe’s national development priorities, particularly in Human Capital Development, and supports the Ministry’s strategic focus on strengthening STEM education, TVET systems, and innovation-led industrialisation.

A Milestone for FAWEZI’s Vision

FAWEZI Executive Committee Chairperson, Professor Ruth Gora, described the event as a defining moment in the organisation’s work:

“This milestone moves us from commitment to action, and from promise to tangible impact in the lives of our young people.”

She extended congratulations to the programme participants, emphasizing their role in shaping the future:

“You represent the future of Zimbabwe innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders in the making. Today’s laptop handover is an investment in your continued growth and success.”

Professor Gora further highlighted the broader significance of the initiative:

“The laptops being handed over today symbolize more than access to technology. They represent opportunity, connectivity, and empowerment. They will support your academic journeys, enhance your digital skills, and enable you to fully participate in modern learning environments and the digital economy.”

Strengthening Pathways to Opportunity

The FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme is a seven-year initiative aimed at expanding access to tertiary education and dignified employment for marginalized young women and men across Africa. 

As FAWEZI continues to implement this transformative programme, the focus remains on creating sustainable pathways for young women and men to access tertiary education, acquire relevant skills, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The successful handover of laptops to Cohort 1 programme participants marks not just the distribution of devices, but a strategic investment in Zimbabwe’s future one that places young women and men at the centre of innovation, inclusion, and progress.