Equipment Maintenance Challenges and Solutions for Capacity Building and Sustainability in the Training of Engineers: The Case for the University of Zimbabwe

Engineering equipment in some Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Sub-Saharan Africa is underutilized, obsolete or in poor working condition owing to lack of expertise, aging or maintenance-related challenges respectively. A research initiated by the Network of Users of Scientific Equipment in Eastern and Southern Africa (NUSESA) and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) was carried out by 4 faculties of engineering in Southern Africa to establish common challenges, their causes and to propose solutions. The study revealed that the faculties shared similar problems such as no proper maintenance documentation, no local suppliers for spares and inadequate expertise. The importation of spares usually leads to prolonged lead times and delays in timely repairs to malfunctioning equipment and thus obsolescence. This paper proposes smart procurement partnerships between industry and HEIs, based on the findings from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). Following the survey and analysis of data obtained, recommendations were made and implemented and have assisted in building capacity in acquisition, maintenance and management of laboratory equipment and sustaining these in the training of engineers.