In a strategic move to strengthen collaboration and strengthen pathways to equitable access in higher and tertiary education, FAWEZI conducted a high-level courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Innovation and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira.

The FAWEZI delegation was led by Executive Director Lydia Madyirapanze, accompanied by Monitoring and Evaluation Lead Edmond Shoniwa and Communication and Advocacy Lead Menard Ziko. The visit was further enriched by a distinguished regional delegation from FAWE Uganda, led by Susan Opok, Executive Director FAWE Uganda.

The Ugandan delegation brought together expertise from key higher education and curriculum development institutions, including Professor David Olema, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Busitema University; Dr. Maria Nakachwa Semakula, Principal Higher Education Officer at the National Council for Higher Education; and Dr. James Droti Asile, Curriculum Specialist in Chemistry at the National Curriculum Development Centre.

Driving Evidence-Based Dialogue on Education Access

The engagement provided a platform for FAWEZI to present progress under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, with a particular focus on expanding access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and increasing participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes.

Key highlights included updates on the TVET Bursary Cohort 1 recruitment process, which is designed to support vulnerable and marginalized young women and men in accessing skills-based training opportunities. The discussion also explored strategies to strengthen uptake of STEM pathways in higher and tertiary education—an area critical to national development and innovation.

The dialogue was firmly grounded in data and implementation experience, reflecting FAWEZI’s ongoing efforts to address systemic barriers that limit access to education, particularly for girls and disadvantaged youth.

Regional Learning and Knowledge Exchange

A central feature of the engagement was the sharing of regional best practices, particularly Uganda’s Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC)—a bridging programme that supports students who do not meet traditional entry requirements to transition into tertiary education.

The Ugandan experience highlighted the potential of flexible, inclusive education pathways in expanding access for learners who might otherwise be excluded. This exchange provided valuable insights into how Zimbabwe can strengthen its own second-chance and bridging programmes to better support diverse learner needs.

The discussion underscored the importance of South-South collaboration, where countries within the region leverage shared experiences and innovations to address common challenges in education systems.

Government Commitment to Inclusive Education Pathways

During the meeting, Professor Fanuel Tagwira welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry’s openness to collaboration with FAWEZI and its partners. He emphasized the critical role of Second Chance Pathways and responsive bridging programmes in ensuring that no learner is left behind.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted the need for education systems that are adaptive, inclusive, and responsive to the realities of young people, particularly those transitioning from secondary to higher education.

This alignment between FAWEZI’s programmatic priorities and government policy direction creates a strong foundation for sustained partnership and systems-level impact.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships for Systemic Change

The courtesy visit represents more than a formal engagement—it is a strategic step toward strengthening institutional partnerships, influencing policy dialogue, and scaling impactful interventions within Zimbabwe’s education sector.

By bringing together national leadership, regional expertise, and programme implementation experience, the engagement reinforced a shared commitment to:

Expanding equitable access to higher and tertiary education
Strengthening TVET and STEM pathways
Supporting vulnerable and marginalized learners
Promoting innovation in education systems
A Collective Vision for the Future of Education

As Zimbabwe continues to advance its education and development agenda, initiatives such as the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme play a critical role in bridging gaps and creating opportunities for young people.

This high-level engagement underscores FAWEZI’s position as a key partner in driving evidence-based, inclusive, and transformative education solutions. It also highlights the value of collaboration across institutions, sectors, and countries in building resilient education systems that respond to the needs of all learners.

Through continued dialogue, partnership, and innovation, FAWEZI and its stakeholders are contributing to a future where every young person, regardless of background, has access to quality education and the opportunity to thrive.