PROJECT PROGRESS

Brain drain has become a key dynamic that is affecting higher education in many developing countries, including Zimbabwe. Chinhoyi University of Technology is participating in the UNESCO/HP project on reversing brain drain into brain gain. The University has benefited from the first phase of the project. The benefits can be summarized as follows: infrastructural empowerment through acquisition of computers and servers as hardware for the project; networking with like-minded institutions within and without the sphere of the project; exposure and initial training in grid computing; opportunity to collaborate with the Diaspora faculty; and motivation of staff by providing the potential opportunities for integrating into mainstream research via the grid. The project is premised on the use of grid computing as an educational technology. The University will continue into the second phase of the project. The central focus in this phase will be on gridification and digitization of teaching, learning and rese arch in the University. The overall goal in this phase will be to introduce and use grid computing technologies and associated e-based pedagogical approaches as technical interventions to turn brain drain into brain gain by linking academics and researchers at University with their international counterparts and strengthening the use of ICTs in teaching and learning.

The University will set up the infrastructural and operational framework to link up and work with its Diaspora faculty and international scholars on a grid platform. This will be done with assistance from existing grid initiatives that are already operational. The scope of the project will focus on introduction of grid computing at the University. Several activities will be undertaken to set up a national grid for Zimbabwe. The expected outputs and outcomes of the project will include: national awareness of grid computing, its uses and benefits; capacity building for local staff through grid computing knowledge and skills; motivation of staff arising from ability to use the grid and connect with external peers; and integration of staff into mainstream research via the grid.