Embassy of India,
Harare, Zimbabwe

Speech of Ambassador for ITEC Day 2019

ITEC Day Speech
(16 September 2019)

Hon’ble Mrs. Sekesai Nzenza, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare
Chairman, Public Service Commission, Dr. Vincent Hungwe
Dy. Chairperson, PSC, Ms. Mary Margret Muchada
Permanent Secretary, Public Service Commission, Amb. Jonathan Wutawunashe
Senior officials of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.

Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to Hon’ble Mrs. Sekesai Nzenza, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for agreeing to grace this event. I welcome you to this important occasion of ITEC day celebration, Madam Minister.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to ITEC alumni. It is gracious of you to spare your valuable time to attend this annual ITEC Day event where we bring together those who have availed scholarships granted by the Government of India to pursue various educational and training programs in India.

India’s friendship and relationship with Zimbabwe has been one based on the values of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, partnership for mutual benefits, shared history and values and shared vision to build a better world. India desires to continue and strengthen this mutually beneficial relationship and to enhance cooperation and understanding with Zimbabwe on issues of mutual interest at bilateral and multilateral levels. 

Many of India’s assistance now goes towards empowering the people of Africa whether it is capacity building and training assistance or the sectors to which India’s developmental assistance is channeled. There are also requests to India to conduct country/sector specific training courses under our ITEC programme. And we have been, of late accommodating, such requests from our friendly countries. The recent case we have for consideration is Police training on Riot control/management for Zimbabwe. This is under active consideration of the Govt of India.

From the very beginning, through South-South Cooperation, particularly capacity building and higher education, India shares its experience and knowledge in nation-building in a spirit of solidarity with countries from the South which are treading similar paths of socio-economic development. India has also undertaken the establishment of institutions and training centres in many African countries.  The Vocational Training Centre at Waterfalls, Harare commissioned by H.E. President E.D.Mnangagwa on 20 February 2019 is one such example. A bigger project- Indo-Zim Technology Centre with initial cost of $5 million and now in the process of adding new machine and up gradating the old ones at the cost of $ 2.91 million is under process of implementation.  These projects are targeted at addressing the livelihood issues of the common people.

Under IAFS-III, 2015, Government of India decided to offer additional 50,000 scholarships to African countries. With this, African is the largest recipients of India’s training/capacity building  programme under the ITEC Programme. More than 2300 ITEC slots have been allotted to the African Countries for the year 2018-19.

The ITEC Programme which is a flagship programme of the Government of India forms an important part of our bilateral relations with Zimbabwe. Assistance to Zimbabwe in the areas of capacity building under the ITEC programme has been one important contents of India-Zimbabwe relationship. Besides regular ITEC slots, there are also additional slots on specialized course such as Doctors and Nurses training under IAFS-III. The ITEC Programme covers a diverse range of subjects from traditional areas like agriculture, SMEs, management, English language to IT, Science & Technology, cyber technology, environment & climate change, biotechnology, etc.

During the last three years, 528 officials from Zimbabwe have availed of this programme.  Sixty two (62) slots have so far been availed in the year 2019. I am sure that you have all benefitted from ITEC training programmes that you attended and have value addition to your professional development.

Hon’  able Minister, I would like to bring to your attention that Zimbabwe, is one of the countries which has maximum number of ITEC slots. For the current year, a total of 217 slots have been allocated to Zimbabwe by Government of India. It was 260 in 2018 and 240 in 2017. The reason for the decline is none Utilization of the allocated seats.

ITEC Programme is fully sponsored programme. And I would like to encourage Public Service Commission, as the Nodal agency to ensure that the allocated slots for the current financial year is fully utilized, failing which the allocation of seats for Zimbabwe for next financial year will further decline.

As in previous years, we look at today’s event to provide us an opportunity for an informal interaction with ITEC and ICCR alumni by promoting greater understanding between our peoples. We value your suggestions to improve our programs.     

I do hope this annual event would provide you yet another opportunity to refresh memories of your stay in India and to encourage your friends and family to look upon India as an attractive destination for both education and training.

The endeavour to partner with our fellow developing countries such as Zimbabwe is an important pillar of India ?s foreign policy. In our own limited way, we share with you our technologies, academic knowledge and experience to assist you in your march to national development. Because each of you has personally been a part of this experience, I am sure that you have also imbibed a greater understanding of India and will act as a bridge to foster even closer bilateral relations between our two countries.

Let me once again reiterate that this assistance stems from our desire to see a prosperous and progressive Zimbabwe.  On this occasion of the 55th ITEC Day, 2019, let me again extend my good wishes and congratulations to the many Zimbabweans who have availed of the programme. 

I thank you all for your attention. I wish success in your personal and professional lives.

Thank you,