ONE hundred and fifty–six people graduated at the second Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH) graduation ceremony on Saturday after excelling and completing studies as pharmacy technicians, dispensary assistants and public health practitioners.
By Kuda Pembere
Speaking at the event, HIPH principal Dr Amos Marume said they gave been implementing heritage based solutions in their education curricula.
The heritage-based solutions thrust being fronted by our very own Ministry is also one of our impor:ant guiding principles. Allow me to highlight some of the developments in brief. First, we have seen the establishment of four (4) schools namely: The • School of Community health now with the first ever class of NC Public Health in Zimbabwe graduating today. The School of Pharmacy which added NC Pharmacy Technician graduands today to the NC Dispensary Assistant growing list of graduands. • School of Nursing which has produced many nurse aides this year. School of Business apart from contributing to the general economic oevelopment the school is a very good platform to ensure our healthc re professionals have access to key business, leadership, and management skills,” he said.
He added they have seen many students enrolling with their instution.
“This has led to tremendous increases in student numbers and has also helped us learn a lot as a relatively young institution of higher learning and research. The growth has seen us establishing a second campus here in Harare (the Gowero House campus), a campus in Gweru and another one coming up nicely in Bulawayo,” he said.
Dr Marume also noted they have, “developed and collaborated with local and international institutions to offer various professional development courses relevance to strengthen our health systems such as leadership and management in health, clinical management of HIV, Health economics, Implementation Research, etc.”
The institute prides itself in offering reliable internet for ease of learning for the students.
“The institute has expanded its capacity on many fronts and both in online and physical spaces. Two of our campuses have facilities that ensures our students have access to internet 24/7 the same facilities are coming to every one of our campuses and or offices. HIPH has increased its pool of experts, access to libraries and databases among other facilities to enhance our academic capacity,” Dr Marume said.
Chief Director Human Capital, Planning and Skills Development in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Development Professor Norman Rudhumbu officiating the graduation ceremony on behalf of Minister Prof Amon Murwira said public health practitioners play a pivotal role in improving the well-being of Zimbabweans.
