“University Education will Build New Economic Independence for Zambia” – Professor Chinsembu
Higher Education Authority (HEA) Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, has reaffirmed that university education is the key in building a new economic independence for Zambia.
Professor Chinsembu stated that apologies should not be made for the weaknesses in university education system but this must be addressed as the task of transforming the quality of university education is a long and arduous one that now required new champions.
“Our goal is to transform and put university education on a new pedestal, on a fundamentally different path,” Professor Chinsembu said, adding, “Our country was destroyed but university education can help us rebuild this nation. University education must actualize and re-inspire our hopes for a better future.”
The Director-General said this when met with the Executive of the University of Zambia Students’ Union (UNZASU).
Professor Chinsembu stated that higher education remained the hope for Zambia to transition its economic occupation from natural resource-based extractivism to knowledge-based innovation, industrialisation, value addition and science-led production of novel goods and services.
“The secret of repurposing university education to enable it meet the needs of our economy is hidden in curriculum transformation,” he said, adding, “University education has economic power and is the road out of poverty.”
In addressing UNZASU directly, the Director-General called on the Union to help HEA lift university education out of the mire of shame.
“We urge UNZASU to become the rallying point for putting university education on a new pedestal,” Professor Chinsembu said. He continued, “UNZASU is part of the grain. You are the intelligentsia. It goes without saying that you ought to become the kernel for the transformation of our system of university education. You should help us to put university education in a new crucible of ideas.”
Professor Chinsembu reiterated that in seeking new champions in the transformation on university education, UNZASU was not mutually exclusive to quality higher education.
“We want UNZASU to become an ally– a determinant — that provides the traction and horsepower, in implementing effective and efficient quality assurance processes in the university,” he said, further stating, “The UNZASU that you now lead should embrace a new ethos, to challenge public policy through seminars, debate and reason, not violent protest.”
The Director-General told the UNZASU Executive that the Union could win the support of the public by winning the hearts and minds of the people.
Professor Chinsembu met with UNZASU on 3rd December, 2024, in the presence of the media in HEA’s Boardroom at Engineering House in Lusaka.
The UNZASU Delegation to HEA consisted of the Union President, Mr. Dixon Mutambo; the Vice President, Mr. Kelvin N’gandu; the Secretary of Information and Publicity, Mr. Gift Ngosa; and, the Academics Secretary, Mr. Bizwell Chiko.
Read the full speech here: https://hea.org.zm/speeches/#
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