Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) has taken a significant step in expanding its global engagement through a partnership with the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) under the newly formed Global University Alliance for Outer Space Policy and Law Education (GUAOSPLE). The alliance, inaugurated in China in October 2025, unites more than 40 universities and international organisations to advance research, teaching, and policy dialogue on outer space governance. It is backed by key international bodies, including the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
Mr Nkosana Maphosa, Executive Dean of the Herbert Chitepo Law School, represented GZU at the Inauguration Conference and the First Plenary Meeting of the Alliance, held from 19 to 25 October in Beijing. He also participated in the International Space Policy and Law Symposium, which ran concurrently with the 23rd Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) and the BIT Global Partner Week. In his presentation titled “Navigating the Intersection of Space Law and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities,” Mr. Maphosa explored the legal and policy implications of emerging technologies in space governance, positioning GZU as an active participant in global debates on innovation and international law.
Through its participation in GUAOSPLE, GZU will engage in collaborative research, academic exchanges, postgraduate supervision, and executive training initiatives focused on the intersection of law, science, and technology. The alliance also opens pathways for curriculum development that reflects the evolving global landscape of space law and artificial intelligence. The partnership supports national and continental priorities, including Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, by promoting education that combines technological innovation and legal expertise. Mr Maphosa thanked Beular Whozhele for initiating the collaboration and acknowledged the leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo for fostering international engagement. The Herbert Chitepo Law School will lead the implementation of the partnership through joint programmes, research projects, and professional training courses.
The new alliance positions GZU among global institutions contributing to policy, law, and innovation in the rapidly expanding domain of outer space governance.