Newly Launched Molecular  Biotechnology Laboratory To Benefit Zimbabwe And SADC Region

By Wallace Mawire

Through the French-Zimbabwean scientific cooperation, a new biotechnology laboratory established at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has been officially handed over to the univesirty by the Zimbabwe French Ambassdor,Mr Paul-Bertrand Barets,who said the facility is set to benefit Zimbabwe and the rest of the Southern Africa region at the recent launch at the University of Zimbabwe.

Barets said the formal handover of the biotechnology platform to the University of Zimbabwe is not only a technical milestone but  is a powerful statement of trust of partnership and of a shared vision for the future.

 “I wish to begin by extending my heartfelt appreciation to our Guest of Honor, Pr. Paul Mavima,Acting Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Innovation and Technology Development and Minister of Skills, Audit and Development . Your presence here today, Honourable Minister, reflects your unwavering commitment to building a robust and forward-looking national research system,’Barets said.

 The Ambassador said the launch is  the beginning of a new chapter, in which Zimbabwe strengthens its ability to respond to animal and zoonotic diseases autonomy, scientific rigour, and world-class infrastructure.

In 2019, the French government  laid the foundations for a modern diagnostic capability at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences.

 The French Government  funded training, the establishment of the initial laboratory, research projects and a system for monitoring and controlling emerging infectious diseases to the tune of nearly 850 000 euros.

  In 2021, the French Agency for Development (public development bank for France)  translated the vision into a fully-equipped biomolecular laboratory accessible at national level for a total of 2 million euros through the project called PACMAN.

 According to the French Embassy, PACMAN has delivered results at multiple levels which include  transforming a building into a high-standard biotechnology facility, in full compliance with international biosafety norms, allowig the acquisition of state-of-the-art molecular and serological equipment, trainig over 308 professionals, drawn from public institutions, universities and the private sector and  supporting Master’s and PhD students, helping Zimbabwe grow its next generation of research leaders.

 Ambassador Barets said  some of  the students  have also supported to travel to France for training courses on the laboratory and there is currently one student at the University of Nantes in the West of France.

The support programme  has also developed new research protocols, supported data management systems and created a platform that will be recognised both regionally and globally.

 The Ambassador said the support programme  has fostered a spirit of scientific confidence and collaborative innovation.

 He said in today’s interconnected world, there are all threats whci are  faced and are  are increasingly complex.

 He referred to the  Covid crisis, climate change, habitat loss, global trade and mobility, factors whci he said are amplifying the emergence of infectious diseases at the human-animal-environment interface.

In that  context,the Ambassador said  the concept of One Health is no longer optional, but  is essential.

 According to the Ambassador, the laboratory embodies that philosophy and will allow Zimbabwe to detect and respond rapidly to outbreaks such as avian influenza, brucellosis, or Rift Valley fever,monitor the circulation of diseases between wildlife, livestock, and humans,produce knowledge and data locally, without having to export samples abroad for analysis or diagnostic validation and collaborate with neighbouring countries and global networks for disease surveillance.

 Barets said the platform also creates new opportunities for international cooperation.

He said through its governance structure, which brings together the University of Zimbabwe, the Department of Veterinary Services, CIRAD, IRD, and the RP-PCP platform, PACMAN is uniquely positioned to attract research funding, training programmes and scientific partnerships from across the globe.

 He added that already, they  are seeing strong interest from world-class institutions like  the Institut Pasteur, the University of Liège, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa and many more.

 He said  PACMAN is not just a French-Zimbabwean endeavor, but is a model for what they  believe international cooperation should look like -co-owned, co-developed, and co-managed by all partners involved.

He said France is proud to contribute to the model,not only through financial support, but through long-term, field-based engagement.

 The Ambassador added that the  Centre de coopération internationale (CIRAD) and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) have maintained a continuous presence in Zimbabwe for more than 30years.

 He said the organizations  have worked hand in hand with Zimbabwean partners through difficult times and have helped build a culture of scientific excellence based on mutual respect, solidarity and openness.

 The Ambassador applauded the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education which was represented by Acting Minister Paul Mavhima  for the work the  Ministry has done to advance Zimbabwe’s research and innovation agenda.

  ‘Your leadership in integrating science, technology and higher education has created fertile ground for projects like this laboratory to flourish,”Ambassador Barets said.

 He added that the French Embassy stands ready to support the momentum and  believes that science diplomacy is one of the most effective tools for building bridges between countries,bridges made not only of knowledge, but of shared purpose.

 He also said Zimbabwe and France are participating   in joint  international frameworks such as Horizon Europe or the PREZODE initiative that was launched in 2021 by President Macron about the One Health approach.

He thanked the University of Zimbabwe, the Department of Veterinary Services,the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, the AFD (French agency for development), The CIRAD and IRD teams,  and the students and researchers for making the project a reality.

 He expressed strong wishes for the platform to serve as a hub of scientific excellence, a driver of regional resilience and disease control and a symbol of what nations can accomplish when they invest in knowledge, work in partnership and believe in each other’s potential.