Office Bearers

Eng. Washington Chandiwana is the current Principal of Gweru Polytechnic, having been promoted to the post in July 2010. Prior to that, he was Vice Principal at the same institution from February 2007. Eng. Chandiwana has over 35 years’ experience in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) having started as a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Bulawayo Polytechnic in 1988.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Management from the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), Bachelor of Technical Education Honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from National University of Science and Technology (NUST). He also holds a Higher National Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering, Further Education Teacher’s Certificate and several City & Guilds technical qualifications. He obtained the Class 1 Skilled Worker (Electrician) status in1990.

Eng. Chandiwana chairs the Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO) Midlands South Regional Committee, the Midlands South Integrated Skills Expansion Outreach Programme (ISEOP). He is a Board member of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE) and Queen of Peace (Institute for Community Mental Health Innovations and Rehabilitation). He is also a Past President of the Rotary Club of Gweru. He has won several national and international accolades in innovation and excellence in leadership, at various platforms including the African Union.

Eng. Igenatious Chigumira is a distinguished academic and technical professional currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Production Engineering at Lupane State University. One of the pioneers of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 2019, he has contributed extensively to the institution's mission through his expertise in industrial systems, technical instruction and product design and development.

Eng. Chigumira has a strong foundation in both practical automotive engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering and academic instruction. Eng. Chigumira’s professional trajectory, built on solid foundation of industry and teaching experience is marked by over a decade of dedication to engineering education and hands-on technical service. Prior to his current appointment, he served for seven years as a lecturer at Kwekwe Polytechnic in the Bachelor of Technology (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering) department. Before then, he established a robust practical background during a more than eight-year tenure as a Journeyman Motor Mechanic within the Zimbabwe National Army.

He holds a Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Systems and Operations Management from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). His academic credentials are further bolstered by professional diplomas in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, and Further Education Trainers' Education. He is a versatile professional engineer registered with the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE). His research portfolio focuses on solving practical engineering challenges, with specific interests in appropriate technology, product design and development, and manufacturing systems design and optimisation. His recent scholarly pursuits have expanded to explore the evolving field of human factors and ergonomics design. and its application within modern engineering frameworks.

Bio coming soon.

Eng. Berverly Nyakutsikwa is a wife, mom, engineer, entrepreneur and trainer. She is a passionate and energetic lady engineer with experience in civil, water and sanitation engineering continuously striving for growth through undertaking challenging projects, volunteer work, board responsibilities and capacity building to establish self as an expert in sustainable engineering. She strives to make a positive impact in the communities she works with, while inspiring girls and boys upcoming in the STEM field.

With 15 years experience, she is a registered ZIE and ECZ professional engineer who has held varied posts in her career from being a lecturer and researcher to consultant, business development engineer and a maintenance engineer. She has a BSc. in Civil Engineering Honors from University of Zimbabwe, 2010 and an MSc in Urban Water and Sanitation from IHE Delft Institute of Water Education, Netherlands 2018). She has also undertaken continuous professional development in project management, water audits, occupational safety and health, and safe household water treatment and storage. In a bid to keep up with her self development, she has also participated in notable leadership and entrepreneurship training by Bluerock Women's Urban Leadership in Utility WASH, Zimtrade’s Eagle’s Nest and Next She Exporter as well as the McKinsey Forward program, Techwomen Mentorship and Exchange Program and Academy for Women Entrepreneurs.

She chairs Women in Engineering in Zimbabwe which feeds into the complimentary committees for the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) and the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) as well as the Southern African Federation of Engineering Organisations (SAFEO). She is a theme lead in SAFEO WIE and FAEO WIE committees, as well as deputy chair for FAEO Governance committee. She is the WIE representative on the ZIE Board and deputy chairperson for Kudzidza Kuneutano Trust. With Women in Engineering, this has allowed her to fulfil her passion of empowering women, girls and boys through activities such as career guidance and structured mentorship as well as organising networking events for engineers and their industry peers. In her current role of almost 2 years, she has led initiatives on career guidance impacting over 2,000 high school students including learners from areas such as Kotwe, Magunje and Masvingo. She is assisting in creating platforms where young girls and women can participate in networking and career advancement, including the inaugural women in the built environment brunch bringing together professionals from 7 different profession in construction as well as the women in engineering conference and awards in Zimbabwe.

Her previous roles have been as ZIE Women in Engineering EXCO Secretary 2018 – 2022, ZIE Mash Area EXCO Vice Chairperson (2016), ZIE Mash Area EXCO Secretary (2014 – 2016), and ZIE Board -Graduate Members Representative 2014 – 2016.