Embassy of India,
Harare, Zimbabwe

Opening remarks by Ambassador at the Study in Gujarat Roadshow held on 20 February 2020.

Hon’ble Minister of State, Women and Child Welfare, Education (Primary & Higher Education) and Pilgrimage, Government of Gujarat State

Hon’ble Prof. Amon Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education

Hon’ble Cain Mathema, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education

Dr. Christopher Mushohwe, Executive Director, Presidential National Scholarship

Ambassador Godfrey  Chipare, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to India

Senior official of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Vice Chancellors and representatives of various Universities in Zimbabwe

Headmasters of Secondary Schools present here

Media friends

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my singular honour to welcome you all to this important event of 'study in Gujarat' road show. I would like to particularly welcome Smt. madam Vibhavariben Dave, Hon'ble Minister of State, GoG and her delegation to this friendly and beautiful country.  I would like to also welcome Hon'ble Ministers, senior officials of the govt of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Vice Chancellors, and Representatives of various Universities, particularly, Head masters of secondary schools and media friends who have come to participate and interact with the representatives of 15 Universities from the State of Gujarat, India.

This event is first of its kind in the last many years from India and therefore long overdue.

Today, learning centres of two countries which place high importance to Education have come together. Since time immemorial, India has been witnessing flourishing learning centres. In the ancient Vedic times, India excelled in mathematics, astrology, medicine, philosophers etc. The monumental achievements of the Universities of Nalanda and Taxila came to my mind.  In the post independent years, India has made all efforts to reclaim this position. Today, India has several world class Universities and institutions. Many of them are represented here this morning.

On the other hand, the unrelenting dedication to providing quality education since its independence in 1980, has placed Zimbabwe on top in the field of education (with more than 90% literacy rate) in Africa and as one of the most literate countries in the world. 

Among several similarities between the peoples of India and Zimbabwe, one that stands out is the search and thirst for knowledge and learning. And today is a day to celebrate this aspect of our similarity and relationship where 15 top Universities from Gujarat and several Universities and schools of Zimbabwe have come together to interact.

Welcome to this event which provides platform of opportunities to young learners who desire to explore knowledge beyond National boundary, a platform that brings together finest institutions of our two beautiful countries, a platform that can facilitate convergence of fine minds and confluence of knowledge. I am confident that the interactions that will follow in the coming two days will be fruitful and yield meaningful results.  

 I thank you