Author

Chingosho Hilton

Title

University Of Zimbabwe STEM Students Excel In Annual Pepperette Competition

News

The University of Zimbabwe’s STEM students once again showcased their innovation and academic excellence at the annual Pepperette Competition, co-managed by the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers. This prestigious event provides a platform for students to compete in two categories: poster and oral presentations, drawing participants from across the seven departments that make up the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

This year’s competition was held today, Friday, 31st October, and it was especially exciting to witness the success of students involved in the Challenge Driven Learning (CDL) initiative under the EU-funded CBHE (Capacity Building in Higher Education) project. Notably, Kevin Kudzerema placed third in the poster presentation category, while Desmond Maombedze placed second in the oral presentation track.

What made their achievements particularly inspiring was the focus of their research; both entries explored sustainable renewable energy technologies, aligning with global priorities and demonstrating the relevance of their work to Zimbabwe’s development needs. Their success is a strong indicator of the impact and potential of the CDL approach, even ahead of its full institutional rollout. 

The University celebrates these accomplishments as a testament to the growing culture of innovation, applied research, and interdisciplinary collaboration fostered through the EU-ZW CBHE partnership. These results affirm that Challenge Driven Learning is not only empowering students with practical skills but also positioning them to contribute meaningfully to national and global sustainability goals.

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