Packed schedule for First Lady in Dubai… guest of honour at First Ladies’ Summit, courts investors *By Blessings Chidakwa in DUBAI, United Arab Emirates* THE First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is in Dubai as guest of honour at the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, has a packed schedule that saw her yesterday meeting with a renowned Asian investor and philanthropist. A philanthropist of distinction, Dr Mnangagwa met business mogul, Maser Group CEO Mr Prateek Suri, who expressed potential collaboration with Zimbabwe in several sectors, including education through the construction of a top-notch university, student accommodation countrywide, sports, mining, and infrastructure development. As Merck Foundation’s Ambassador for the More Than a Mother initiative, Dr Mnangagwa continues to advance both the national and continental vision. Her role and experience are expected to energise First Ladies from across Africa and Asia, offering a roadmap for new First Ladies on how to lead with purpose, compassion, and action. Over the years, Dr Mnangagwa has not only redefined the role of a First Lady but has elevated it into a driving force for lasting social change as will be on display throughout the two-day summit, which commences today and brings together First Ladies from across Africa and Asia. Dr Mnangagwa, who received a warm welcome from Merck Foundation CEO Dr Rasha Kelej on Monday, met with Mr Suri on the sidelines of the 7th edition of the Merck Foundation First Lady’s summit underway in Dubai. During the meeting, Mr Suri, who is also a philanthropist of repute and has been following the First Lady’s works, was amazed by her initiatives, the potential that the country has-as exhibited by the facilities being established, something that prompted him to seek to establish an international University in Zimbabwe. The First Lady said the provision of student accommodation is a top priority across all universities in Zimbabwe, to ensure the safety and well-being of learners. “Provision of accommodation is crucial for our students. If there is no adequate housing, many, especially the girl child, are forced into unsafe living situations which we do not want them exposed to. “Often, the girl child suffers most, leading to school dropouts, unwanted pregnancies, and loss of focus in education. With secure and independent accommodation, they will be able to study better and succeed,” she said. Dr Mnangagwa, a champion in the fight against drug and substance abuse, also welcomed the idea of constructing an international university with a bias on sports, noting Zimbabwe’s strategic geographical location within SADC and Africa at large. “If we establish an international university that accommodates students from various countries, that would be excellent. “Incorporating sports into the university will help keep our youth focused, especially as we see growing challenges with drug and substance abuse. This would be the first university with a specific drive on sports,” she said. Acknowledging that Zimbabwe is still a developing country, the First Lady called on investors to play a role in its development. “I see that you already know a lot about Zimbabwe, so why not come and experience it for yourself? You may discover even more opportunities worth exploring,” she said. Businessman, Mr Suri confirmed Maser Group’s active involvement in large-scale investments across Africa, including infrastructure, mining, road construction, shipping, and artificial intelligence. The business mogul expressed particular interest in Zimbabwe’s education sector, especially in establishing a university integrated with sports, ideally located near Harare. “We see potential in opening a university that integrates sports. The idea is to develop this as a joint venture through a public-private partnership (PPP) model with the Government of Zimbabwe. “That’s our current focus. Let’s see how it develops,” he said. Business mogul, Mr Suri, said infrastructure projects are within their area of expertise. “In the mining sector, if given the right framework, we are open to investing as co-investors. We also have a trading division that supplies building materials across Africa.” Regarding construction, Mr Suri said it would be straightforward due to existing partnerships with in-house experts. “Student accommodation, housing, and infrastructure are blessings not only for the country but also for us. When we build something for the students who are currently suffering, it’s mutually beneficial,” he said. “We have experience with the PPP model and have implemented it across Africa. The Zimbabwean Government is very supportive. The First Lady’s warm welcome and confidence in our company will give this partnership the momentum it needs.” Angel of Hope Foundation patron First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with Maser Group CEO Mr Prateek Suri on investment opportunities in infrastructure development, education, sport and mining while Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to United Arab Emirates Mr Lovemore Mazemo looks on in Dubai yesterday Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UAE, Lovemore Mazemo, also attended the meeting. This year’s First Ladies summit is themed “Together We Make a Difference”, and features plenary and technical sessions addressing key areas such as healthcare capacity building, combating infertility stigma, promoting girls’ education, preventing child marriage, and advancing gender equality. United by a shared mission to break cultural taboos, improve maternal health, and champion the rights of women and girls, the summit is more than ceremonial, it is catalytic. In a summit infused with sisterhood and shared responsibility, Dr Mnangagwa’s role is both foundational and aspirational. Dr Mnangagwa has a series of engagements lined up, with many newly appointed First Ladies expected to seek her wisdom and draw inspiration from her well-documented legacy regionally and internationally through the Angel of Hope Foundation. The Angel of Hope Foundation’s mobile health outreach programmes, scholarship initiatives, and advocacy for traditional values grounded in Ubuntu have become models emulated far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. Dr Mnangagwa’s partnership with the Merck Foundation has led to a wide-ranging transformation in Zimbabwe bolstering healthcare, fighting stigma, empowering youth and women, and expanding access to critical health services. Through healthcare and specialist training scholarships, hundreds of Zimbabwean professionals have benefited in fields such as fertility and embryology, oncology, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory health, endocrinology, psychiatry, neonatal care, and more. Several doctors have trained in India in fertility and embryology, while others earned diplomas or Master’s degrees in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine in the UK and Spain. Additional scholarships have helped develop expertise in diabetes care, preventive cardiology, acute medicine, and oncology. *Source: Herald*