THE Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe (IIZ) has launched its 2025 Winter School in Kariba with a call for innovation and continuous learning, NewsDay can report.
The winter school is being held under the theme ‘The Insurance Odyssey: Charting Your Career Course and Unleashing Potential’.
The annual event brings together industry professionals to share knowledge, experiences, and insights on navigating the complex landscape of modern insurance.
Speaking at the event, IIZ president Clementine Chinyuku emphasised the importance of adapting to change, citing the integration of mobile technology in Zimbabwe as a prime example of innovation in the insurance sector.
“Our theme invites you to consider the critical dynamics at play within the insurance sector. We stand at a pivotal moment where disruption is an immediate concern rather than a hypothetical future event. The swift evolution of technological innovations, transformative consumer expectations, and dynamic regulatory frameworks present us with significant challenges as well as extraordinary opportunities for growth as well as adaptation,” she said.
“In this vein, we will discuss how to embrace change since we are in a new paradigm. We will discuss how we can be empowered in our journey by looking at the role of continuous learning and how to unleash the potential within us. We want to look at the courage and curiosity that we need to develop. In this era of digital transformation, adapting to change is not optional. It is essential for the insurance industry.”
She encouraged participants to engage deeply with industry leaders and experts, asking probing questions and extracting maximum value from their experiences.
“We are fortunate to host industry-leading speakers with extensive expertise who have navigated complex landscapes and achieved notable success across their various domains,” Chinyuku said.
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“I therefore encourage you to engage deeply with their insights, ask probing questions, and interact with them and extract maximum value from their experience. Your proactive participation is essential as we explore the intricacies of our field and how we can collectively advance our professional trajectories.”
She also highlighted the significance of continuous learning, announcing the institute's robust continuous professional development programme.
She encouraged members to enrol and track their learning hours, with top performers to be recognised and rewarded at the end of the year.
“As a strong advocate of continuous learning myself, I believe it is fundamental to personal and professional development. In today’s fast-paced and evolving landscape, continuous learning is imperative for maintaining relevance, enhancing competitiveness, and achieving your personal fulfilment,” Chinyuku said.
“Continuous learning not only promotes individual growth but also improves your career trajectories and increases your adaptability to emerging challenges and technologies.
“Ultimately, a commitment to lifelong learning is critical for fostering innovation, resilience, and a thriving society. The institute is implementing a robust continuous professional development program, encouraging all our members to register, log in, and track their learning hours.”
Meanwhile, participants were urged to develop courage, curiosity, and a readiness to embrace discomfort, probing deeper and questioning prevailing paradigms.
“I therefore urge each one of us to engage in calculated risks, probe deeper with inquiries, and question prevailing paradigms,” Chinyuku said.
“Take, for instance, an insurance firm in Zimbabwe that has successfully launched a micro-insurance product specifically designed for smallholder farmers. By thoroughly analysing the distinctive challenges faced by these demographics, they crafted a product that mitigates the financial risks associated with crop failure due to unpredictable weather events.”
She said this initiative not only bolstered the resilience of local agriculture but also established a novel market segment for the insurance sector, demonstrating how innovative solutions can produce substantial social economic benefits.
“We therefore urge each one of us to go and probe deeper and see how we can, as an insurance industry, be more innovative so that we can develop and deliver relevant products to our community,” Chinyuku said.
“As we embark on our professional journey, it is critical to articulate a precise vision of your objectives, engage in thoughtful introspection regarding your career aspirations, and the impact you wish to make within the insurance sector.”
