1. Background

The Research Council of Zimbabwe will be hosting the 11th Zimbabwe International Research Symposium (ZIRS) on the 16th and 17th of February 2017 under the theme: ‘Research for Unlocking Entrepreneurship: Bridging the Gap.’ The Government of Zimbabwe recognises the contribution of entrepreneurs to job creation, poverty elimination and economic transformation. There is common interest in harnessing this potential. The support of targeted and evidence-based strategies to promote growth of the sector in the developing world is required. As key players in the economy, entrepreneurs need to acquire new knowledge to innovate.

RCZ hosts symposia biennially to bring together researchers, policy makers, industry, commerce and various users of research results within and outside Zimbabwe. The 11th ZIRS seeks to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and use of research results for the production of quality goods and services.

2. Objectives

The aims of the Zimbabwe International Research Symposium are:
2.1 To provide a platform for bridging the research-entrepreneurs knowledge gap for national wealth creation;
2.2 To enable researchers and decision makers at all levels (including entrepreneurship level)
in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world to exchange information, research findings and ideas
for unlocking growth potential; and
2.3 To promote smart partnerships among researchers, entrepreneurs and other users of research results to ensure application of research results.

3. Thematic Areas Guidelines

The Call for Nominations is in any of the following National Research Priority theme areas:

  1. Sciences and Humanities: Understanding who we are as a nation, what we want, need and where we want to be in the future. Directing research to deliberately shape our future.
  2. Sustainable Environmental and Resource Management in Zimbabwe:  Improving the way we utilize our land, water, mineral and energy resources through a better understanding of human and environmental systems and the use of new production technologies, as well as aerospace and other sensing technologies.
  3. Promoting and Maintaining Good Health:  Promoting good health and well-being for all Zimbabweans.
  4. National Security of Zimbabwe: Safeguarding Zimbabwe from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, strengthening our understanding of Zimbabwe’s place in the region and the world, guarding the proper exploitation of our natural resources and securing our infrastructure.

Nominations for awards are being invited from individuals or group(s) and/or companies who have done outstanding research in their areas of specialisation and/or have registered success in employing Research and Development (R&D) or commercialisation of research results.

4. The Awards Categories

Category Number of Awards Cash Prize (USD)
Presidential Awards
Award to a Company / Institute for outstanding application of Research & Development 1 15,000
Award to a Female Researcher for outstanding research 1 7,500
Award to a Company / Institute for outstanding application of Research & Development 1 7,500
Sectorial Awards
Social Sciences and Humanities  1  3,000
Health Sciences  1  3,000
National Security  1  3,000
Natural and Environmental Sciences  1  3,000
 Academic Awards
 University Student Research Award  1  2,000
College Student  Research Award  1  2,000

5.How to make a Nomination

Obtain the ‘Call for Nominations Document’ describing the procedure, official nomination criteria form with the criteria used in deciding the winning entries from the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) offices at the address stated below or from the university, college or public research centre near you or download form here.

The nominations submitted will be subjected to a thorough verification and assessment process by a panel of experts and ranked to decide the winning entries for each category. Self nomination is allowed although not encouraged.

6. Renomination

Nominations entered previously and did not win but have improved from the last entry may be renominated.

7. Selection Criteria

The nomination must:

  • Be supported by evidence;
  • Be in any field of the National Research Priority Areas;
  • Be based on distinguished achievement;
  • Be based on work done in Zimbabwe; and
  • Contribute to the attainment of ZIM-ASSET.

8. Deadline for submission of nominations

 1500 hours on 30 September 2016

Nominations may be emailed to: awards@rcz.ac.zw. Respondents may also copy technical@rcz.ac.zw.

or

Send your nominations to:

The Executive Director                                              The Executive Director

Research Council of Zimbabwe            or               Research Council of Zimbabwe

11 Stafford Road                                                        P. Bag CY 294

Mt Pleasant                                                                  Causeway

Harare                                                                         Harare