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Marondera, Zimbabwe — 18 October 2025.
GeoConnect, in collaboration with OpenStreetMap (OSM) Zimbabwe, proudly supported the successful launch of the YouthMappers Chapter at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST). The event, held at the university’s CSC Campus in Marondera, marked a significant milestone in advancing youth-led geospatial innovation and open-data development in Zimbabwe.
The launch brought together MUAST students, faculty representatives, a technical team from OSM Zimbabwe, and visiting students from Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). The initiative aims to empower students to use open mapping tools to support local and national development through data-driven decision-making.
Empowering Youth through Open Mapping
Empowering Youth through Open Mapping
As part of the global YouthMappers network — active in over 60 countries, the MUAST Chapter will enable students to create, curate, and apply open geospatial data in addressing community challenges. Participants at the launch took part in a practical mapping session led by the OSM Zimbabwe technical team (Ms R. Supiya and Mr W. Gara), beginning with the mapping of the MUAST CSC Campus before extending their efforts to the Marondera Rural community.
The training introduced students to the OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform, equipping them with essential digital mapping and data management skills.
The exercise underscored the importance of open data in advancing community resilience, infrastructure planning, and environmental monitoring.
Institutional Support and Collaboration
Institutional Support and Collaboration
The event received strong support from the MUAST faculty, including the Dean of Faculty and the Chairperson of the Department, who commended the initiative for complementing the university’s efforts to integrate geospatial technologies into agricultural science and research.
GeoConnect’s contribution went beyond partnership and sponsorship, the team provided mentorship, technical assistance, and shared insights from ongoing youth mapping and open-data projects across the country.
GeoConnect remains committed to empowering young people with the knowledge and tools needed to transform data into action. The launch of the MUAST YouthMappers Chapter represents an important step toward building a skilled and collaborative geospatial community in Zimbabwe.
Strengthening Partnerships for Impact
Strengthening Partnerships for Impact
The MUAST YouthMappers Chapter launch demonstrates the transformative potential of collaboration between academia, youth, and the professional geospatial community. By working alongside OSM Zimbabwe, GeoConnect continues to advance its mission of bridging the geospatial skills gap, promoting the use of open data for sustainable development, and inspiring the next generation of spatial leaders across Africa.
Through such initiatives, GeoConnect reinforces its commitment to building capacity, promoting innovation, and driving inclusive participation in the geospatial sector — ensuring that young people are not only users of technology but also contributors to open knowledge and local solutions.
Read more about GeoConnect and the work we do.
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