The role of chinhoyi university of technology library in support of education 5.0

Abstract

Education 5.0 represents a transformative shift in Zimbabwe's higher education sector, aiming to equip students with the skills necessary to drive economic growth and development. This policy focuses on evolving university education from traditional methodologies to more innovative and industrialized approaches. However, the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Library faces challenges in aligning its services with the Ministry of Higher Education's mandate, which emphasizes a practice-based approach that integrates teaching, research, community engagement, innovation, and industrialization. This study investigates the role of the CUT Library in facilitating the implementation of Education 5.0 and identifies the associated challenges. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, the research incorporates both qualitative and quantitative strands to provide a comprehensive analysis. The sample size of 80 was determined using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) method, balancing representation and practical constraints. The study's combined quantitative and qualitative findings reveal mixed perceptions of the CUT Library's services and resources in supporting Education 5.0, with a neutral mean score (M = 3.40, SD = 0.692) across key areas such as electronic resources, internet connectivity, catalog system, and physical space, indicating both satisfactory aspects and notable gaps. The study discovered several challenges that hinder effectiveness, including limited financial resources (75%), lack of staff training (52%), and limited access to current digital tools (75%). Additionally, the research highlights the need for improved training and professional development programs for library staff to enhance their capacity to support research, teaching, community engagement, innovation, and industrialization. CUT Library should strengthen support for Education 5.0 to foster a sustainable and innovative education system.