SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni on Building a State-of-the-Art University
What does it really take to build a world-class university campus? At the Higher Education Indaba 2025, no one is better placed to answer this question than Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni, Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka (UNILUS).
With decades of experience and a proven record of growing one of Zambia’s most dynamic private universities from the ground up, Professor Chifwanakeni will share the bold ideas, practical steps, and leadership insights required to turn a vision into a thriving academic institution. His presentation, “What Does It Take to Build a State-of-the-Art University Campus?” promises to be one of the defining moments of the Indaba.
This groundbreaking session will not stand alone, it will open into a high-level panel discussion with both local and international higher education leaders, chaired and moderated by Professor Trywell Kalusopa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation, University of Zambia (UNZA). The panel discussion will unpack how institutions can combine vision, financing, innovation, and partnerships to reshape Zambia’s higher education landscape.
Register for the Higher Education Indaba here: www.hea.org.zm/inbaba
The inaugural Higher Education Indaba will be held from 8th to 10th October, 2025, at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, under the theme “Unlocking Zambia’s Potential Through New Investments in Quality Higher Education.”
Hosted by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Indaba will convene over 400 leaders from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), industry, cooperating partners, civil society, and other strategic stakeholders.
About Professor Chifwanakeni.
(Biography courtesy of UNILUS)
Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni is the Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka, a leading institution in Zambia’s private higher education sector. With a professional background in accounting and extensive experience in academia and business, he established the university to provide industry-relevant, entrepreneurial education aligned with national development goals. His vision is rooted in the belief that education should drive wealth creation, innovation, and economic empowerment.
Under his leadership, the University has grown to three campuses and serves over 14,000 students.
Professor Chifwanakeni is a strong advocate for academic programmes that blend theory with practical application, preparing graduates not only for the job market but also to launch and grow their own businesses. Through strategic partnerships, research promotion, and a commitment to excellence, he continues to shape the higher education landscape and advance education as a catalyst for sustainable development in Zambia and beyond.
Relevant Social Media Handles
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- Twitter (X): www.x.com/UnilusOfficial
Register for the Higher Education Indaba here: www.hea.org.zm/inbaba
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