Overview
Prof Irvin Mpofu is a member of the Research Council of Zimbabwe Council and also saves as the Chairperson of the Research Promotion, Publicity and Resource Mobilisation Committee (RPPRMC). He brings experiential practical knowledge to RCZ for the benefit and advancement of need driven research in Zimbabwe in sync with the Doctrine Education 5.0, Internationalisation of Higher and Tertiary Education, Vision 2030 national aspirations of the Republic of Zimbabwe. He believes and actualizes the mantra “Science meets business” as he is keen and ardent in research, innovation and commercialization, thus bridging the gap between science and business.
Career
Prof Irvin DT Mpofu is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) in Zimbabwe. He has 28 years of experience in higher education spanning three countries namely: Namibia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Professor Mpofu has also served as Board Member of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE). In years past he held senior administrative positions at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (2016-2019), University of Namibia (2009-2015), the University of Rwanda (2006-2009), and the University of Zimbabwe (2004-2006). The Professor has been Director of Research and Graduate Studies at the Chinhoyi University of Technology; Dean of the first Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Rwanda, Chairman of the Animal Science Department at the University of Zimbabwe, Head of Animal Science Department at the University of Namibia where he again oversaw the establishment of the first Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Namibia.
He has served as external examiner for the University of Pretoria, Africa University, University of Malawi, University of Swaziland, Polytechnic of Namibia, Makerere University, University of Venda, University of Fort Hare, University of KwaZulu Natal, National University of Science and Technology, Lupane State University, University of North West, University of West Indies, Bindura University of Science Education, and the Zimbabwe Open University.
Education
Professor Mpofu has a PhD in Animal Science (Animal Mineral Nutrition) from the University of Pretoria, an MSc Animal Nutrition and an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe, and a BSc Agriculture Honours in Animal Science also from the University of Pretoria.
Achievements
Professor Mpofu is widely published with over 60 publications that include two books published in the United Kingdom “Applied Animal Feed Science and Technology”-ISBN 9781844262717, and “Pig Production Science and Technology”- ISBN 9781844261826, book chapters, refereed journal articles, conference and technical reports. He is an Animal Nutritionist and Scientist of international standing who serves as reviewer for Applied Research Foundation (ARF), National Research Foundation (NRF), Gerson Lehrman Group, the South African Journal of Animal Science, African Journal of Agricultural Research, Zimbabwe Journal of Technological Sciences, Journal of HIV and AIDS, Ecological Economics, Botswana Journal of Animal Science, and the African Journal of Biotechnology. He has also served as a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Petroleum and Environmental Biotechnology and the African Journal of Agricultural Research.
Mpofu has special interest in climate smart livestock production, precision animal nutrition through Computer Aided Least Cost Feed Formulation and Feed Manufacturing. In responding to Zimbabwe’s Doctrine Education 5.0 that prioritises innovation and industrialisation apart from teaching, research and outreach, Prof Mpofu led a team of Innovators at CUT that innovated and commercialised 4 types of vitamin mineral blocks licks for livestock and game animals filing four patents in the process. The Vitamin Mineral Block licks (summer and winter variants) are already on the market through Zimbabwe.
He is a Professional Member of the South African Society of Animal Science.