The Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) will start producing corrective lenses at its high-tech optometry lens production laboratory before the end of the month.
The facility, the first of its kind in the country, has the capacity to manufacture up to 1 200 pairs of lenses within 24 hours.
The facility is housed within BUSE’s optometry school and clinic, ensuring that patients can receive prescription lenses within an hour of diagnosis.
BUSE vice-chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje said the facility will transform the country’s eye care services by drastically reducing turnaround times and improving accessibility to essential eye health products.
“Full-scale production is going to start by the end of this month, and we anticipate that it will ease many of the challenges in the eye care sector,”Mwenje said.
“All services will be offered under one roof, which will ease the burden on patients.
“This facility will not only serve the local community but the entire nation, as there is currently no other centre that can match this level of efficiency.”
Mwenje also shared updates on the progress of the National Goat Genetic Improvement Centre.
The university has now incorporated five foreign goat breeds into its genetics programme, aiming to improve local herds by distributing crossbreeds to farmers.
Higher and Tertiary Educatio minister, Frederick Shava, expressed confidence in the institution’s innovation capacity after touring the institution last week.
He urged BUSE to fully commercialise its innovations.
“We expect the university to embark on a full commercialisation drive to bring its products and services to market,” Shava said.
“Institutions must also implement the innovation and industrialisation ordinances by rewarding inventors and innovators, while carrying out risk profiling and mitigation for industrial parks.”
Beyond the lens production lab, BUSE is rapidly evolving into a centre of applied innovation.
The university’s innovation hub is producing a range of products from the indigenous Masawu fruit—including jam, juices, and cosmetics — highlighting the vast potential of local resources.
