Research, Innovation, Industrialization, and Entrepreneurship Week (RIIEW)
THEME:
From Concepts and Ideas to Innova ve Models and Artefacts: Engraining Sustainable Systems Development, Holism, and Deep Entrepreneurialism
DATE: Aug 2025
VENUE: ZEGU Bindura Campus
ZIMBABWE EZEKIEL GUTI UNIVERSITY
INTRODUCTION
Globally, the interconnected challenges of sustainability, industrialisation, and entrepreneurialism are hindered by fragmented approaches to systems development. Many regions continue to lack integrative frameworks that merge innovative models with artefactual design to address environmental, social, and economic crises (Rosário & Figueiredo, 2024). The Anthropocene era underscores the need for holistic solutions that reconcile human development with planetary boundaries (Olsson et al., 2017; Oerther & Oerther, 2023). Yet, gaps remain in bridging advanced research, technology, and practical applications across various sectors. These challenges are compounded by insufficient collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, who must jointly pioneer transformative ideas and scalable solutions to address global inequities and the escalating impacts of climate change.
Regionally, Africa faces unique challenges such as underdeveloped infrastructure, limited access to advanced technologies, and systemic barriers to entrepreneurship. Despite being rich in natural and human resources, the continent often struggles to translate research and innovation into impactful socio-economic progress (Kapfudzaruwa et al., 2018; Magaji, 2023). Regional issues, like food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and rapid urbanisation demand context-specific, sustainable solutions that resonate with local realities. A coordinated effort is required to build knowledge economies that leverage the immense intellectual potential of the region while fostering policies and practices that prioritise resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability. Locally, the gaps are even more pronounced, with communities often disconnected from the research and innovations intended to benefit them. Zimbabwe, for instance, continues to grapple with challenges in urban planning, education governance, healthcare delivery, and agricultural sustainability.
These issues are exacerbated by a lack of platforms where researchers and practitioners can engage directly with policymakers and communities to co-create practical, context-driven interventions. The Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University Directorate of Research and Innovation (ZEGU-DRI) invites academics, researchers, practitioners, and innovators to submit abstracts for the 2025 Research, Innovation, Industrialisation, and Entrepreneurship Week (RIIEW). This event seeks to explore and advance knowledge in sustainable systems development, holism, and deep entrepreneurialism through cutting-edge research, innovation, and artefactual design. The RIIEW provides a platform for intellectual engagement, collaboration, and showcasing innovative models and artefacts that address contemporary societal challenges. Contributions aligned with the RIIEW theme are welcome under the following thematic areas:
RIIEW Thematic Contributions
Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Twenty First Century Higher and Tertiary Education
• Ideation and Systems Thinking
• Artificial Intelligence
• Holistic Thinking
• Anthropocene and Development
• Community Design for Sustainability
• Industrialism and Meeting Societal Demands
• Migration, Diaspora and Local Development
Sustainable Systems Development, Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Artefactual Design and Futures
• Planning, Constructed Environments and Sustainability
• Built Environment and Mobility Advancement
• Transport and Mobility Advancement
• Design, Innovation and Product Development
• Land Economy and Property
• Consumer Intelligence, Design and Manufacturing
• Environmental System and Pollutants
• Transport and Mobility Advancement
• Rural Industrialisation
• AI and Built Environment
Sustainable Systems Development, Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Law, Business Intelligence and Economics
• Legal and Constitutional Systems Advancement
• Business Intelligence and Economics Advancement
• Law and Legal Systems Development
• Economics, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
• Accounting, Finance and Human Capital
• Information Science, Risk and Insurance
• Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Management
• AI and Business Intelligence and Economics
Sustainable Systems Development, Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Science, Technology,
Agriculture and Food Systems Development
• Climate and Resilience Building
• Biological and Ecological Advancement
• Earth Chemistry, Geology and Geoinformatics
• Applied Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Engineering
• Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
• Geographical Advancement
• Soil Science, Agronomy and Farming Technology
• Technology Advancement in Agriculture
• Computer and Data Science Technology
• Information Science and Risk Management
• Knowledge Economy, 4 Industrial Revolution.
Sustainable Systems Development, Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Heritage Preservation,
Humanities and Societal Advancement
• Age and Gender Studies for Development
• Social Work and Applied Psychology
• Politics, Governance, Leadership and Security
• Languages, Literature and Development Communication
• Development Communication, Multi-media and Journalism
• History, Sociology and Anthropology
• Development Programming and Management
• Resilience and Mental Health
• Health Equity and Disparities
• Mental health and Climate Change
Sustainable Systems Development, Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Education Governance,
Theology and Leadership
• Governance, Leadership and Intergenerational Equity Advancement
• Quality Assurance, Education Development and Management Systems
• Theology of Legacy and Leadership
• Religion and Theology
• Governance and Leadership
• Curriculum and Educational Philosophy
• Art, Technical and Design Education
• Lifelong Learning Systems
• Online Teaching and Assessment
• AI and Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century
Sustainable Systems Development, Holism and Deep Entrepreneurialism in Engineering, Health and Veterinary Services
• Pandemics, Endemics and Epidemics
• Disease Control and Health Promotion
• Medical and Surgical Advancement
• Nursing, Physiotherapy and Care
• Oral Health
• Ophthalmology
• Wildlife Management
• Veterinary Solutions
• Mining, Civil and Mechatronic Engineering
• E-Health
• Mental Health
Important Dates
Deadline for Submission of Abstracts (300 Words) : 21 March 2025
Notification of Accepted Abstracts : 31 March 2025
Submission of Full Papers : 31 May 2025
Notification of Full Paper Acceptance : 30 June 2025
Resubmission of Revised Papers : 31 August 2025
Submission Details
Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and must clearly outline the research problem, objectives,
methodology, key findings, and contribution to the thematic area. All submissions must align with the
RIIEW theme and objectives.
Keywords (up to six words from the abstract) should be included.
Full papers should contain an abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, findings and discussion,
and conclusion.
Abstracts should be submitted to tchiparaushe@staff.zegu.ac.zw and hchirisa@staff.zegu.ac.zw.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES
(USD or ZIG Equivalence for Locals)
Attendance and Presentation
Undergraduates Students : Free
Postgraduate Master Students : $20
Postgraduate Doctoral Students (Local) : $25
Other Local Participants and Presenters : $50
International Participants and Presenters : $150
Corporate and Organisation Seeking to Exhibit : $250/stand
Payment:
ZEGU BANKING DETAILS
Bank Name ZB Bank
Branch Bindura
Account Number:-
USD 453600772451405
ZIG 453600772451200
Provide Proof of Payment (POP) for any payment made stating Conference Registration.
Transport and Accommodation:
Participants to make their own transport arrangements to the venue; the University may provide accommodation but
at a rate to be communicated upon request for the information.