ZIMBABWE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO

Mission Statement

To initiate and develop policy and provide advice, coordinate and facilitate the participation of Zimbabwe nationals in UNESCO activities, projects and programmes that contribute to peace and development by promoting collaboration with the rest of the world through Education, Science, Culture, Communication and Information.

INTRODUCTION

Established by a Presidential Decree in 1987 in the then Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture, the Zimbabwe National Commission, serves as the focal point for UNESCO's cooperation and relations with Zimbabwe. In 1988 it was moved to the newly created Ministry of Higher Education and has operated in the Ministry since then. It works in areas of UNESCO's mandate, which are Education, Culture, Natural, Human and Social Sciences, Communication and Information. The Commission formulates, coordinates, executes, monitors and evaluates projects and programmes supported by UNESCO and implemented by Government, non-governmental organisations and individuals.

Functions of the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO

* Fostering close liaison between UNESCO, governmental and non-governmental organisations, professional associations, universities and research centres and other institutions concerned with education, science, culture, communication and information;
* Disseminating information on the objectives, programmes and activities of UNESCO and endeavouring to arouse public interest in them;
* Facilitating the participation of Zimbabweans in joint activities and studies on matters of interest to UNESCO;
* Developing and maintaining a nation-wide UNESCO movement through UNESCO Associated Schools, UNESCO clubs and associations;
* Promoting activities that contribute to the Maintenance of peace and security and the common welfare of mankind by participating in the activities of UNESCO, the aim of advancing the mutual knowledge of its programmes;
* Mobilising resources, organizing, directing and overseeing the implementation of UNESCO activities nationally by liaising with all relevant ministries, sectors and individuals;
* Interacting with UNESCO Member States throughout the whole world;
* Administering UNESCO fellowships and awards in respect of Zimbabwean nationals;
* Convening, preparing and advising Zimbabwe Delegations to UNESCO conferences;
* Administering the UNESCO coupons programme in Zimbabwe.

Structure of The National Commission

A Chairperson, who is the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, heads the Commission and the Deputy Chairperson is the Permanent Secretary for the same Ministry. The commission links with UNESCO Headquarters through the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, headed by Zimbabwe's Ambassador to France.

Secretariat

The head of the Secretariat is the Secretary General assisted by two Deputy Secretaries General and four Programme Officers for: Education; Sciences; Culture; and Communication and Information.

Specialised Standing Committees

For each of the four sectors of UNESCO's competence, namely, Education, Culture, Sciences and Communication and Information, there is a Specialised Standing committee comprised of experts. The functions of the Committee are as follows:

* Advise government through the National Commission for UNESCO on the need to develop and or review national policies with regard to Education, Science, Culture, and Communication and Information in the light of current global trends;
* Mobilize participation by stakeholders in UNESCO programmes;
* Sensitise decision makers and planners as well as the research community on the importance of UNESCO programmes;
* Assist the National Commission in identifying departments and institutions which are specialised in areas of UNESCO's conference.
* Critically examine project proposals for consideration by UNESCO;
* Encourage dialogue between the National Commission for UNESCO and various stakeholders;
* Familiarise potential beneficiaries with the services offered by UNESCO.
* Provide expert advice to the National Commission and Stakeholders on documents and papers produced by UNESCO.

UNESCO Projects and Programmes

* Participation Programmes
Under this programme, member states submit 12 projects each. The ceiling of funding
per approved project is USD26 000 for national or USD34 000 for sub-regional
projects and USD45 000 for regional projects.

* Regular Budget Programme
The programme caters for short duration projects that are funded to a ceiling of
USD10 000 generally.
* The number of projects that can be submitted is limited by availability of funding in Sub- Regional Offices. Submission is done through the National Commission.

* Extra-budgetary Programme
The programme caters for big projects of a long duration that are funded by interested
international partners through UNESCO. Funding ranges from USD 35 000 to
millions. Submission under this programme are done any time of the year.

* UNESCO Coupons Programme

UNESCO operates a UNESCO Coupons Programme that provides foreign exchange
in US Dollars to assist Developing Countries procure educational material and
equipment. Due to the high demand for the use of UNESCO coupons to pay
university fees for Zimbabwean students studying abroad, UNESCO allowed
Zimbabwe to use coupons to pay fees. As is the case in other UNESCO member
states, in Zimbabwe coupons are sold by the National Commission for UNESCO.

* Materials: Audio-visual material: Films and prints, film scripts, colour slides, movie projectors, raw film, screens, compact discs, compact disk players, tape-recorders, tapes, photographic material, developing material, film, radio and television sets.
Informatics material: microcomputers-drivers-printers-scanner modems-misc
accessories. Software operating systems-programs (word processing, data base,
spread sheet, integrated software).
* School material: exercise books, paper, ink, pencils, india-rubbers, rulers, paints, typewriters, demonstration apparatus, drawing tables, musical instruments.

Scientific material: Optical instruments and equipment, laboratory equipments and
instruments, chemical products, electrical and acoustical measuring instruments,
analytical and clinical testing apparatus, electrical and electro-technical
equipment, hand and machine tools, meteorological, geodetical and topographical.

* UNESCO coupons can also be used to pay subscriptions to educational, scientific or cultural institutions, and university registration fees and copyright dues.

Major projects which benefited Zimbabwe

* World Solar Programme: The programme intends to alleviate the energy deficit, particularly in developing countries, while at the same time addressing the concerns of sustainable development. The programme is in the process of electrifying 510 rural institutions such as schools and clinics. The World Solar Programme comes under the auspicies of the World Commission whose Chairman is His Excellence, the President of Zimbabwe, Cde R. G Mugabe.

* World Heritage Programme: Four national sites have been listed as World Heritage sites, Khami Ruins, Great Zimbabwe, Mana Pools, Matobo Hills, Sapi, Chewore National Park and a trans-boundary site (Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-tunya). Work, sponsored by UNESCO, is underway to preserve the Great Zimbabwe National Monument and the Khami Ruins and promote the World Heritage sites as tourist destinations. During the period 2002-2004 a strategic decision was made to focus the coordination role of the National Commission for UNESCO. The National Commission has now brought together under one umbrella, all stakeholders. It has also assumed the role of ensuring that membership dues to the World Heritage Committee are met by the present Ministry through the Commission.

* Project on Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage
Activities are being executed in line with the Programme to nominate Jerusarema
Dance as Zimbabwe's candidature for the Master pieces of the Oral and Intangible
heritage which was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2003.

Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet)

This is a network of schools designed to promote the participation of children and
young people in international understanding, peace and development. UNESCO
launched this project in 1953 and Zimbabwe joined the network in 1991. The network
has 7 509 schools in 164 countries. Of these 82 are in Zimbabwe.

ASPnet schools operate within these four themes:

* World concerns and the role of the United Nations system in dealing with them;
* Human rights, democracy and tolerance;
* Intercultural learning
* Environmental concerns.

Major International Projects undertaken under ASPnet

* World Heritage preservation and Promotion;

* The Zambezi River Basin Project undertaken by 4 countries in the SADC region namely: Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe;

* Culture of peace festival;

* The World Parliament of Children, where a Youth Manifesto for the twenty-first century was produced and adopted.

Contact Details:
The Secretary General
Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO
Box UA275
Kwame Nkrumah Avenue
Harare

Tel: 263 - 04 - 737407
Fax: 263 - 04 -732752
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BACKGROUND

Was established by an act of parliament in 1990 and has membership of scholars and eminent persons with extensive knowledge and appreciation of university and tertiary education, drawn form a wide spectrum of society.

FUNCTIONS

* Advises Government on all issues pertaining to higher education
* Ensures the maintenance of appropriate standards with regard to teaching, courses of instruction, examination and academic qualifications in institutions of Higher learning in Zimbabwe
* Processes applications for the establishment of private universities and university colleges
* Establishes common student admission procedures for institutions of higher education
* Advises the Minister and concerned on:-

- the establishment, maintenance and expansion of universities and university colleges;
- the co-ordination of training at institutions of higher education;
- the standardization, recognition and equation of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic qualifications conferred or awarded by institutions of higher education whether in Zimbabwe or elsewhere.

* Arranges and conducts visitations and inspection of institutions of higher education.
* Liaises with Government and universities and university colleges on matters of policy and mutual interest.
* Plays an advisory role to universities on issues affecting them.

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION

Applicants must produce the following documents

BUSINESS PLAN:

1. Must show projections over at least five years of:-

- Source of funds for the project
- Capital Expenditure
- Recurrent expenditure
- Enrolment figures
- Fees
- Any other income
2. The Council advises that a consultant be used for the business plan

HANDBOOK

* Brief history of the university
* Programmes to be offered in the first year
* Special programmes e.g. bridging courses, pre-med courses, etc.,
* Other programmes to be offered and when
* Special regulations
* Assessment
* Provision for research
* Information for students and staff
* Student body
* Entry qualifications and requirements including for mature and special entry
* Application and registration requirements and fees
* Transfer students
* General rules and regulations of conduct for students and staff
* Affiliations of the university

THE CHARTER

This legal document should spell out:

* The Name and objects of the University or University College
* Establishment and functions of the university
* Governance of the university i.e. Council/Board
* Personnel of the university - Principal officers in detail
* The University Senate
* Staff appointment and promotions, terms and conditions of service
* Organization of faculties and departments
* Staff and student discipline
* Fund raising (if any)
* Finance of the university

LAND

1. Evidence of adequate land - owned or leased by the applicant
2. Must show land is suitable and has water
3. Physical plant - suitable structures of a good standard or architecturally designed plans if applicant plans to build (show phases in this case)