The Academic Research Centre (ARC) arises from observations made by the Founders, Professor Nherera and Dr Chakarisa over a period of time, regarding the growing need to enhance academic research capacity across all disciplines in Zimbabwe, the whole Southern Africa Development Community Region and internationally.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it is widely acknowledged that with the exception of South Africa, research output is relatively low, as evident from the limited number of publications by scholars in comparison to output from other global regions. Yet, research has become necessary in the increasingly competitive knowledge based global economy in which policies and development strategies need to be backed by empirical and other research evidence. The need to develop high level local research capacity has become more and more apparent in both the public and private sectors.

Post-graduate qualifications have become the normal requirement in middle to senior level work situations, which are growing in complexity and competitiveness. The ARC therefore endeavours to contribute towards the enhancement of research capacity at all levels and get involved in contributing towards research-based policies and strategies in Zimbabwe, the SADC Region, Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.