LSU sets ‘business clinic’ to assist Matabeleland businesses

LUPANE State University (LSU) has set up an advisory body called ‘LSU Business Clinic’ to create a partnership network with the business community in the Matabeleland region so as to assist entrepreneurs through research-based solutions.

The LSU Business Clinic has been established under the university’s faculty of commerce and seeks to enhance linkages between the university, industry, commerce, and local communities including potential local and international investors.

Since its relocation to Lupane in 2016, the university has impacted positively the development of the Lupane business centre and surrounding areas.

With a population of about 6 000 students, LSU contributes an average of US$4,2 million in fees payment, which also helps spur the development of the local economy.

In an interview, recently appointed LSU Business Clinic development manager, Mr George Nhepera, said the new facility was part of LSU’s strategic connection with business organisations in Matabeleland North districts, in particular.

These include Bubi, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Nkayi, Umguza, Hwange, and Binga so that they participate and benefit from knowledge and innovation from the institution. “It’s known worldwide that research-based knowledge is key to economic growth.

To this end, there should be a deliberate link between a university like ours involved in research and with industry, which is into the production of goods and services,” said Mr Nhepera.

“This week we are going to attend the Tsholotsho Business Expo to engage with business leaders in that region so as to fully appreciate their constraints for business growth, employment creation, and funding.”

According to LSU, the Business Clinic has five strategic aims, which include bridging the knowledge gap that between the industry and academic institutions leading to the delivery in real-time of any new or breakthrough knowledge through short-term courses and training workshops.

It also ensures that research that is carried out by the faculty students and lecturers provides solutions to challenges that are faced by the industry including being used in the creation of new products and services for the industry and communities.

The business clinic ensures that lecturers in the faculty of commerce are kept abreast with the activities, processes, and challenges faced by the industry through establishing networking platforms such as public lecturers, business conference activities, trade fairs, and secondment/ attachments.

It facilitates entrepreneurship and small business development in and around Bulawayo and Zimbabwe and facilitates strategic links with local and international investors for the funding of start-up business projects by the university students, lecturers, and community at large. —chronicle