As part of its strategic efforts to shape and influence education policy in Zimbabwe, the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), with support from the FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation, recently convened a pivotal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting under the FAWE/Mastercard phase II programme. This high-level dialogue brought together key actors from academia, government, civil society, and development organizations to collectively chart a more inclusive and transformative trajectory for tertiary education in Zimbabwe, particularly for marginalised young women and men.

The engagement served as a platform to share knowledge, promote partnerships, and mobilize resources in support of the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at expanding access to tertiary education for young women and men aged 15–25 years. The initiative also aligns with the objectives of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development’s Strategic Plan.

Panel 1: Unpacking Zimbabwe’s TVET and STEM Bridging Landscape

The first panel discussion provided a comprehensive overview of Zimbabwe’s current policy environment, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within STEM-focused bridging programs in state universities. Stakeholders engaged in dialogue around the structural barriers young people face in accessing tertiary education, particularly girls from underserved communities, and explored how targeted bridging interventions can create more equitable education systems.

The conversation also illuminated the gaps in policy coordination, the need for more gender-responsive frameworks, and the imperative of aligning programmatic efforts with national development priorities.

Panel 2: Regional Learning and Inspiration from Uganda

The second panel brought a valuable regional lens to the discussion, featuring representatives from a leading university in Uganda that has successfully implemented bridging programs for marginalised youth. Through their experience-sharing, participants gained practical insights into what it takes to operationalize such programs, from curriculum design and institutional support to student mentorship and scalability.

This peer-learning session emphasized the importance of contextualising international best practices while ensuring alignment with national realities, policies, and resources. It offered concrete recommendations for Zimbabwe, enriching the conversation with proven models of success that could inform programme implementation locally.

In her opening remarks, Professor Ruth B. Gora, Chairperson of the FAWEZI Executive Committee, emphasized the significance of the engagement saying,

“This meeting provides a platform for us to share experiences, strengthen partnerships.”

She highlighted that the forum aimed not only to present current trends and policy dynamics but also to catalyse dialogue on the development of country-specific bridging programs that address systemic education gaps and enable seamless transitions into higher education.

“Together, we can create a brighter future for Zimbabwe’s young people, particularly girls and women. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation, FAWE Africa, and our government and development partners whose continued collaboration makes this work possible,” she added.

The engagement reaffirmed FAWEZI’s role as a convening force for change in Zimbabwe’s education ecosystem. It underscored the importance of collaborative policymaking, evidence-informed programme design, and sustained investment in skills development to unlock opportunities for young people, especially adolescent girls and young women who have historically been left behind.

The insights gathered during this stakeholder meeting will directly inform the ongoing implementation of the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program. FAWEZI remains committed to working with government institutions, academia, and civil society to ensure the adoption of inclusive, scalable, and transformative educational solutions that equip Zimbabwe’s youth with the tools they need to thrive.

Together, we are building bridges not just to universities, but to opportunity, equality, and national progress.