The meeting was attended by distinguished guests from Zimbabwe and Atlanta, including government officials, university representatives, and professionals in the field of education. Among the notable attendees were His Excellency, Tadeous T. Chifamba, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United States, and Professor Fanuel Tagwira, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Higher & Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science & Technology Development. The Ambassador and his delegation were welcomed by Dr. Bernard Kippelen, Vice Provost for International Affairs at Georgia Tech. Other esteemed guests and representatives of Atlanta universities included:

• Dr. Dennis Murekachiro, Director of Higher Education Programmes, Ministry of Higher & Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science & Technology Development
• Brian Nyagwande, Director, Zimbabwe Youth Council 
• Jonah Mushayi, Zimbabwe Embassy Trade and Investment Officer 
• Marylyn Mushonga, Political Officer 
• Dr. Tonderai Tela, ZimExpo Director 
• Dr. Carrie Manning, Interim Associate Provost for International Initiatives and Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University 
• Dr. ‘Dimeji R. Togunde, Vice Provost for Global Education & Professor of International Studies, Spelman College 
• Dr. Yali Zhao, GSU Virtual Exchange Faculty Associate, Office of International Initiatives, Georgia State University

Attendees were introduced to the educational landscape of Zimbabwe and Atlanta by sharing the roles and goals of their respective offices and organizations. Representatives from the AGSC and its partners — Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and Spelman College — shared information about their institutions, academic programs, and initiatives.

The main goal of the meeting was to promote discussion of common areas of interest and mutual goals in higher education. Participants exchanged knowledge and ideas to identify potential areas for partnership between universities in Zimbabwe and Atlanta, and they addressed critical skills gaps and how to improve teaching. During the meeting, attendees were able to identify common goals, disciplinary areas of interest, and potential programs to develop. After the meeting, guest were given a tour of the Kendeda Building by its Director, Shan Arora. The Kendeda Building is one of Georgia Tech's key innovations in sustainability, earning the first Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification in Georgia. Its goal is to foster regenerative and restorative relationships amongst humans and nature where people give back more to the environment than they take. 

The meeting proved to be an enriching experience, highlighting the shared goals between universities in Zimbabwe and Atlanta. The exchange of knowledge and ideas initiated a conversation about new collaborations, with a plan in place to create strong partnerships and achieve common goals.

Click on the resources below for more information:

• Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the U.S.
• Zimbabwe Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technological Development
• ZimExpo
• Zimbabwe Diaspora Nation Building Initiative (ZDNBI)
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Spelman College 
• Atlanta Global Studies Center