Zimbabwe College of Forestry
Who we are
Specialist training in forest industries.
An internationally-recognized college that offers specialist training in forest industries – a unique offering not only in Zimbabwe but the SADC region.
The College offers a wide range of programmes — short courses, foundation certificates, certificates, diplomas and degree programmes — in forestry, wood technology and saw doctoring, together with short courses in areas of specialization which include chainsaw operations, supervisory skills, and forest fire management, among others.
Over 2,000 students have passed through the expert mentorship of our highly experienced and dedicated lecturers. Most graduates from the college are employed in commercial forestry, timber industry, NGOs, Forestry Research, Sawmilling Management, Panels Manufacturing, and Pulp & Paper industries just to name a few.
What we are for
Quality forestry technocrats.
Vision
An innovative institution producing quality forestry technocrats.
Mission
To produce competent, skilled, practical-oriented personnel for the forestry sector.
Accreditation
ZCF Programmes are offered in Affiliation with Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS), and are recognized at university level in Africa, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the USA, where exemptions are often given for some degree courses.
What we teach
The programmes on offer.
Short course enrolment runs throughout the year; the long programmes have an August intake. All courses have been designed in consultation with SADC forest products processing industries in order to make the student training relevant to the industry, and are constantly updated in line with the needs and requirements of the national and region’s forest industries.
Diploma in Forestry
Two and a half years, full time. Normal entry: five O-level passes including English, Mathematics and Science, with a Certificate in Forestry or a related course such as Agriculture or Natural Resources. Bridging entry: five O-level passes including English and Science without Mathematics, which must be passed before graduation. Mature entry: 25 and over with at least five years’ experience in forestry, wood technology, agriculture, natural resources or a related field, subject to interview.
Diploma in Wood Technology
Two and a half years, full time. Normal entry: five O-level passes including English, Mathematics and Science, with a Certificate in Forestry, Carpentry and Joinery, Wood Technology, Agriculture or Saw Doctoring. Bridging entry: five O-level passes including English and Science without Mathematics, which must be passed before graduation. Mature entry: 25 and over with at least five years’ experience in forestry, carpentry and joinery, wood technology, agriculture or saw doctoring, subject to interview.
Certificate in Beekeeping
One year, full time. Five O-level passes including English, Mathematics and Science, with a Foundation Certificate in Forestry or a Foundation Certificate in Wood Technology.
Certificate in Saw Doctoring
One year, full time. Five O-level passes including English, Mathematics and Science, with a Foundation Certificate in Forestry or a Foundation Certificate in Wood Technology.
Foundation Certificate in Forestry
Eight months, full time. Any four O-level passes.
Foundation Certificate in Wood Technology
Eight months, full time. Any four O-level passes.
1946
Training foresters since
2,000 +
Certificates and diplomas awarded
20 {aa6ed15ecb8aef952f3df61ddb84e515e8742b4374d951f3cace3e3d245e1049}
Of graduates are women
500 +
Short-course certificates
Our background
Where Zimbabwe’s forestry sector lives.
The forestry sector of Zimbabwe is mainly located in the Eastern Highlands, where the climate is suitable for the growth of exotic tree species. These species include the Pinus, Eucalyptus, and Acacias. About 95{aa6ed15ecb8aef952f3df61ddb84e515e8742b4374d951f3cace3e3d245e1049} of plantation forests are therefore located within this region in Manicaland.
It is with such a background that we find the unique Zimbabwe College of Forestry (ZCF) located in the Eastern Highlands. ZCF is a unique institution in Zimbabwe if not in all the SADC region. The institution specializes in forest industry training requirements.
This specialization in forest industry training creates unprecedented expertise and experience in the forest industries field. This is evidenced by the demand for graduates from the institution in Zimbabwe and abroad. ZCF graduates hold high positions in timber companies in Zimbabwe, the SADC region, and beyond.
Since 1946
Never looked back when it comes to training foresters.
ZCF has been in existence since 1946 and never looked back when it comes to training foresters. It started with a certificate course for forest rangers until it expanded and now offers a diploma in Forestry for forest supervisors and managers. More than 2,000 foresters have graduated with certificates and diplomas from the institution, of which about 20{aa6ed15ecb8aef952f3df61ddb84e515e8742b4374d951f3cace3e3d245e1049} are females. Another 500 or so have left the institution with short course certificates in various disciplines which include chainsaw operations, supervisory skills, and forest fire management, among others.
As an internationally recognized institution, the college thrives on continual improvement in an endeavor to meet the ever-changing environment of the forest industry. One move in this direction is the semesterisation program. In partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the institution has changed from the trimester system (three terms per year) to semesterisation (two terms per year). This was necessitated by the review of curricula carried in 2009 resulting in the introduction of new courses to keep the programs offered relevant. Areas such as environmental management and computer science have been added in line with the ICT and environmental drive in the country and the entire world.
Admission
Practically-oriented training.
Zimbabwe College of Forestry (ZCF) is a training institution under the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, which is a parastatal within the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife. ZCF offers practically-oriented, quality long and short-term training in forestry, wood technology, and saw doctoring fields as required by clients.
Trainees are recruited throughout the SADC region to train within a multi-cultural environment which enables them to share their varied experiences.
In addition to the theoretical training dispensed, the College also has a fully-fledged demonstration industrial plant to enable the students to get hands-on training during their tenure at the College.
Staff members
Some of our lecturers have been here more than thirty years.
We have a team of dedicated, motivated, highly qualified, and experienced lecturers and support staff. Our lecturers received prestigious awards in the specialist subject areas at local and international levels. Some of our lecturers have been with the institution for more than 30 years — a testimony to the great working environment and experience within our establishment.
Also at the College
More than a classroom.
The nursery
Having the expertise, the Forestry colleges have a nursery where indigenous and exotic tree seedlings are sold. The fruit trees are grafted and budded for quality and early fruiting.
Conferencing and accommodation
The College offers accommodation, conferencing and catering services to clients at affordable rates. With the natural environment surroundings, the atmosphere is serene and conducive for business and leisure as well.
Contacts
Reach the College.
Corner Christmas Pass / Penhalonga Road, P.O. Box 660, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
zcf.ac.zwOnline
The College keeps its own website, and posts as Zimbabwe College of Forestry on Facebook.