“Centre for Creative Thinking”
The Great Zimbabwe University Innovation Hub is a dynamic center dedicated to fostering creativity, technological advancement, and entrepreneurship. Positioned as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation, the hub supports innovators in developing and commercializing cutting-edge solutions that address local and global challenges.
DIRECTOR'S WELCOME REMARKS
Rooted in our rich heritage and guided by the spirit of Ubuntu, the Research and Innovation Department, “Centre for Creative Thinking” serves as a catalyst for transformative ideas that honor the past while shaping the future. Our vision is to be a leading center of excellence in heritage-based research and innovation, empowering communities and industries to create sustainable and transformative solutions for a better world. We are committed to fostering a vibrant ecosystem where students, staff, community members, and industry partners converge to co-create sustainable and impactful solutions.
As a university dedicated to heritage-based innovation, we blend traditional wisdom with cutting-edge technology to address contemporary challenges. Grounded in our core values of Innovativeness, Excellence, Integrity, and Results Focus, we strive to produce knowledge and innovations that make a meaningful difference locally and globally. Through collaborative projects, an inclusive Innovation hub, and a passion for pushing boundaries, we are building a future where heritage and innovation work hand-in-hand to inspire growth, resilience, and social progress.
Our current research and innovation efforts focus on enhancing the value of small grains, indigenous chickens, fruits, herbs, and vegetables to drive rural industrialization while improving nutrition and food security. Furthermore, the integration of smart technologies and artificial intelligence across the agricultural value chain, healthcare, legal, heritage, business and social sectors is central to our ongoing research and innovation initiatives.
Join us as we lead the way in heritage-driven research and innovation at the Centre for Creative Thinking.
Executive Director
QUALIFICATION:
PhD Food Science (University of Pretoria, South Africa), MSc. Food Science and Nutrition (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe), Masters in Business Administration [Midlands State University (AABS Accredited), BSc. Food Science and Nutrition (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe), Post Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe)
Email address: dmugadza@gzu.ac.zw
ABOUT US
About the Innovation Hub
The Great Zimbabwe University Innovation Hub is a dynamic center dedicated to fostering creativity, technological advancement, and entrepreneurship. Positioned as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation, the hub supports innovators in developing and commercializing cutting-edge solutions that address local and global challenges. As part of the university’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation, the hub provides a collaborative environment for students, faculty, and industry partners. By nurturing ideas and translating them into practical applications, the Innovation Hub plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable development and enhancing the impact of research across various disciplines.
To cultivate a dynamic ecosystem that nurtures creativity, supports entrepreneurial ventures, and accelerates the development and commercialization of innovative solutions.
To be a leading center for innovation and technology commercialization, propelling socio-economic transformation and sustainable development in Zimbabwe and beyond.
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Professionalism
- Ubuntu/Unhu
- Inclusivity
SECTIONS
Research and Innovation Office
The Research and Innovation Office aims to drive innovation, support product development, and facilitate the transformation of ideas into tangible solutions. It ensures that innovation efforts align with market needs and societal challenges by providing an environment where ideas can be nurtured, tested, and refined into practical solutions. The Office provides a platform where researchers and innovators can develop and refine their ideas into functional prototypes. It ensures that projects undergo feasibility testing, validation, and iterative development, providing a strong foundation for further refinement and potential commercialization. By providing access to specialized laboratories, technical mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, the Office facilitates knowledge transfer between academia, industry, and entrepreneurs. It plays a key role in supporting university-based innovations by ensuring that early-stage ideas and prototypes are developed into practical solutions with real-world applications.
The general functions of the Research and Innovation Office include:
- Supporting innovators in refining their ideas into viable solutions.
- Assisting in the development of proof-of-concept models and early-stage prototypes.
- Facilitating collaboration between the university and external stakeholders, including industry, government agencies, and research institutions.
- Ensuring the alignment of innovation projects with national development priorities and industry needs.
- Managing university-led innovation programs and incubation initiatives.
- Providing technical support for prototype development and guiding innovators through the early stages of product creation.
- Organizing training workshops, seminars, and capacity-building programs to enhance practical innovation skills among students and faculty.
- Maintaining official records and documentation related to innovation projects, incubation programs, and technology development activities.
Grants Office
The Grants Office was established in June 2024 in order to optimize and simplify the process of acquisition of external funding for researchers at Great Zimbabwe University. It is the office of record for all grants and contract submissions and is responsible for implementing grants and consultancy policies of the University. The Office ensures that Great Zimbabwe University exploits its full potential in obtaining competitive research funding. The office also assists innovators and researchers in identifying grant opportunities, writing competitive proposals, and managing awarded funds to ensure successful project execution. The office collaborates with both local and international funding organizations, bridging innovators with financial resources that enable them to scale their solutions. In addition to funding acquisition, the Office provides guidance on proposal development, budget structuring, compliance with funding regulations, and impact assessment. This ensures that projects remain financially sustainable and aligned with donor requirements while maximizing their societal and economic impact.
The general functions of the Grants Office include to:
- Assist Principal Investigators (PIs) with the administration of grants from inception to the closeout stage;
- Review proposals submitted to funders to assure compliance with university policy.
- Review of budgets to verify that appropriate overhead and administration charges are included in cost calculations.
- Assist PIs with the negotiation and acceptance processes of grant awards
- Assist PIs with negotiation and execution of contracts and cooperative agreements;
- Ensure compliance with University and Sponsors’ policies, e.g. in relation to fiscal, property, intellectual property, and ethics;
- In cooperation with the University, assuring compliance with the grants and consultancy policies and procedures
- maintain official records concerning sponsored projects including official grant and contract files;
- Assist school and departmental staff and students in the preparation of proposals and other administrative aspects of sponsored projects as needed; and
- Facilitate and organize training of school and administrative staff in the policies, procedures and practices of the University, and sponsors.
- The Grants Office is the central contact point for National and International funding programs at the University. The Office provides advice and support at the proposal and project implementation stage.
- The Grants office informs GZU staff about open calls.
For general inquiries please send a message to grants@gzu.ac.zw or call on GZU extension 1800.
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Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
The Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office supports the protection and strategic use of innovations developed at the hub. It ensures that innovators receive guidance on securing intellectual property rights and leveraging their innovations for broader societal and economic impact. The Office assists in the preparation and filing of intellectual property documents, management of IP portfolios, and negotiation of licensing agreements. It provides expert support in technology transfer, ensuring that intellectual assets are effectively positioned for practical application and market adoption. Through collaboration with industry partners and commercialization hubs, the Office facilitates pathways for turning research-based innovations into viable enterprises. It also provides training and advisory services on intellectual property management, licensing strategies, and best practices in technology transfer, equipping innovators with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of IP protection and commercialization.
The general functions of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office include:
- Assisting innovators in drafting and filing IP documents for patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
- Managing the university’s IP portfolio to ensure proper protection and utilization of intellectual assets.
- Facilitating licensing agreements and negotiations with industry partners.
- Supporting the transfer of technologies from research to industry application.
- Providing training and workshops on IP rights, technology transfer, and commercialization strategies.
- Ensuring compliance with university policies and national IP regulations.
- Acting as a liaison between innovators, investors, and commercialization hubs.
- Offering advisory services on best practices in intellectual property protection and monetization.
PROJECTS
Food Processing
In response to problems pertaining food security, food wasting (i.e., fruits and vegetables rotting) and malnutrition, Great Zimbabwe University’s Research and Innovation Department in collaboration with various stakeholders such as National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) has embarked on a Food Technology project involving processing, packaging and preservation of both indigenous and exotic foods (fruits, vegetables, insects and herbs). The project’s thrust is on value addition to locally available national endowments (fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, etc.) in line with the national heritage – based innovation doctrine, Education 5.0.
Bird deterrent
The bird deterrent device is a modular, laser-based system designed to prevent crop damage by deterring quelea birds from agricultural fields. The device features a 360-degree rotating mechanism for wide-area coverage and incorporates low-maintenance components, solar powered and has a backup battery. Its modularity allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and customization to target different bird species and environmental conditions. The project aims to offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional bird control methods.