Featured – Higher Education Authority

More Than an Exhibition: Visit HEA at Africa Public Service Day 2026

HEA — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:20:11 +0000

If you are planning to visit the 2026 Africa Public Service Day (APSD) commemorations at East Park Mall, make sure the Higher Education Authority (HEA) stand is on your list of places to visit.

HEA is exhibiting under the Ministry of Education at the Piazza, where members of the public, students, parents, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and other stakeholders can interact directly with the Authority and learn more about the rapidly evolving higher education landscape in Zambia.

This year’s APSD is being commemorated under the theme, “Enhancing Public Sector Institutions and Empowering Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Achieve Universal Water Availability and Safe Sanitation by 2063.”

While celebrating public service excellence, HEA is using the occasion to bring higher education services closer to the people.

Visitors to the stand will have an opportunity to learn how HEA regulates and assures quality in higher education, explore the latest developments in the sector, and receive guidance on selecting recognised and registered HEIs and accredited learning programmes.

Most excitingly, stakeholders will also be able to experience the Authority’s newly launched Quality Assurance Management Information System (QAMIS), the online platform designed to modernise and streamline accreditation processes in Zambia.

Representatives from HEIs can receive demonstrations of the system, while members of the public can see first-hand how technology is helping strengthen quality assurance and service delivery within the higher education subsector.

Whether you are a prospective student seeking the right programme, a parent looking for reliable information, a higher education provider or simply curious about how higher education contributes to national development, the HEA stand has something for you.

APSD is celebrated annually on 23^rd June to recognise the contributions, professionalism and dedication of public servants across the continent. Through its participation alongside the Ministry of Education, statutory bodies and cooperating partners, HEA is reaffirming its commitment to accessible, responsive and people-centred public service, and helping the Ministry secure first place as the:

Most High Performing Public Institution, and
Community Champion Award.

So, if you find yourself at East Park Mall, stop by, say hello, take a picture with us or a video, ask questions, explore QAMIS and discover how higher education is helping shape Zambia’s future.

The Ministry of Education Pavilion brings together a diverse team of institutions and cooperating partners working across the education sector. These include the Consortium for Sustainable Development (CSD), Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), Higher Education Authority (HEA), Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB), Join for Joy Zambia, Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ), Zambia Education Programme Coordination Unit (ZEPCU), Zambia Education Projects Implementation Unit (ZEPIU), Zambia Educational Publishing House (ZEPH), and the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

The exhibition is further strengthened by the participation of nine (9) departments from the Ministry of Education, namely the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC), Directorate of Standards, Assessment and Evaluation, Finance Department, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, Internal Audit Department, National Science Centre, Planning and Information Department, School Health and Nutrition (SHN) Department, and the Teacher Education and Specialised Services Department.

Together, these institutions, partners and departments showcase the Ministry’s collective commitment to improving education service delivery and advancing learning opportunities for all Zambians.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia #APSD2026

One Big Happy Family: The entire team exhibiting under the Ministry of Education take a photo with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Mr. Thabo Kawana (Seated, Centre), with HEA Director – Quality Assurance, Dr. Martin Mushumba (Seated-R).
Team Work Makes Dream Work: following the successful planning meeting at the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, 16^th June, 2026, the team poses for a photo on the steps of the Ministry.
Joy Comes in the Morning: Before the crowds arrived and the conversations began, HEA Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Birbal Boniface Musoba (R), shares a light moment with Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) Corporate Communications Specialist, Mrs. Inutu Mpungu Mwanza.
These are Big Machines: (L-R) Mrs. Mwanza; Ms. Coretta Soko, Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) Public Relations Officer; Ms. Kunda Mando, Assistant Director – Communications, Ministry of Education; and Mr. Musoba are all smiles while waiting to engage visitors at the stand.
Ready Player One: The HEA Team stands ready. (L-R) Mr. Kabungo Chembe, Programme Accreditation Officer; Ms. Ng'onya Josephine Njovu, Office Assistant; Mr. Francis Kawesha, Senior Information Technology Officer; and Mr. Musoba.
Come and have a Conversation: The HEA Team ready to engage with members of the public.
At PS Level: Dr. Mushumba engages with Mr. Kawana as the Permanent Secretary visited the HEA Table.
Photo Op: The HEA Team poses for a picture with the Permanent Secretary.
Let the Kids Play: Dr. Mushumba is given a tour of the Join for Joy Zambia stand by Country Director, Ms. Mwangala Ikacana (Standing-L). Join for Joy Zambia promotes playful learning in early childhood and primary education because sometimes learning works best when it feels like play.
The Handshake: Dr. Mushumba is welcomed by Ms. Mando.
Mind Your Language: Dr. Mushumba gives an interview in Nyanja to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) journalist, Ms. Mailes Sakala.
The Customer is Always Right: Dr. Mushumba engages with a client that came to the stand as Mr. Chembe listens.
A Symphony of Beauty: Learning, laughter, conversation and public service come together at the Ministry of Education Pavilion during the 2026 Africa Public Service Day commemorations.
Validating the Future: Dr. Mushumba converses with Mr. Jericho Kashiya, ZAQA Manager – Standards and Quality Assurance.
Gifts Create Smiles: A thoughtful gift goes a long way. Mr. Musoba receives a notebook from Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) Public Relations Manager and newly elected Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) Secretary, Mr. Nicholas Nkhuwa.
Its Good to Be Nguzu: Mr. Musoba poses for a photo with Ms. Lusungu Mbao, Executive Officer at the Ministry of Education and the popular actress behind the character Chellah in the hit Zambezi Magic telenovela Mpali.
Macro Economics: Mr. Musoba shares the 2024 State of Higher Education in Zambia Report with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics student from the University of Lusaka (UNILUS), whose learning programme is accredited by the Authority.
Spot the Difference: HEA Senior Inspector – Institutional Audits, Mr. Suzyo Soko (R), engages with a client of accredited learning programmes at a named HEI. Mr. Soko was visiting the Authority’s stand and decided to engage with clients in a bold reflection of the quality services that HEA offers as part of the public service.
Directing the Media: Communication professionals never really stop talking shop. Mr. Musoba and Ms. Kunda Mando pose for a photo with Assistant Director – Public and Media Relations in the Ministry of Information and Media, Mrs. Susan Zulu Ndumingu.

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2^nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ +260 976 936 658│ info@hea.org.zm │ www.hea.org.zm

Friday Focus: Lights, Camera, Higher Education!

HEA — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:55:37 +0000

Sometimes the work of communicating higher education takes you in front of the cameras, quite literally.

Yesterday, Thursday, 4^th June, 2026, Higher Education Authority (HEA) Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Birbal Boniface Musoba, sat down with Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) TV1 journalist, Ms. Namwandi Mwiinga, for a television interview at Mass Media, with cameraperson, Mr. Abram Banda, behind the lens making sure it all came together.

The conversation covered HEA’s vital role quality improvement in higher education vs closing down of abrogating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including the Authority’s ongoing efforts to keep students informed and protected in the higher education space.

For those of us working in communications, media engagements are always a reminder that public information is a team sport. It was great proof that the message of higher education quality assurance is finding its way into more living rooms across Zambia, one broadcast at a time.

Don’t miss the ZNBC TV1 News Today, Friday, 5^th June, 2026, for the full interview.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

Game face activated: Mr. Musoba in the hot seat talking higher education quality assurance advancements with Ms. Mwiinga. The mic was on and we did not hold back.
Show me your hands: When the topic is higher education in Zambia, the hands start moving on their own Passionate about the work, always.
And that's a wrap: A quick photo after the interview with Ms. Mwiinga and Mr. Banda. Great conversations happen on camera, but great television is always a team effort behind it.

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA

HEA — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:01:08 +0000

The Board, Management and Staff of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) proudly join the nation in wishing His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, a happy 64^th birthday.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Your Excellency, under your leadership, Zambia has witnessed a renewed commitment to making education more accessible to ordinary citizens, restoring hope to many young people and families across the country.

The enshrinement of free education in Law stands as a landmark achievement of your Government, which has created a stronger pathway into higher education, expanding opportunity, inspiring aspiration and reinforcing the important role education plays in national development.

Your Excellency, this commitment has been matched with bold and tangible action that has led to the construction of new classrooms, the provision of desks, a school feeding programme bringing meals to pupils who once attended school while hungry, and the recruitment of 41,422 teachers, an investment in human capital that will shape Zambia for generations to come.

In the higher education sector, your leadership has equally given renewed hope to students through the restoration of student meal allowances, the expansion of student loans to all public universities and emphasis on internships and work-based learning. These measures have not only eased the financial burden on students and families, but have also strengthened access, equity and retention in higher education, particularly for vulnerable learners whose future depends on sustained public support.

As the Higher Education Authority continues “Ensuring Quality in Higher Education,” we are deeply encouraged by your vision for a more inclusive, educated and empowered Zambia. We remain honoured to play our part in safeguarding quality, strengthening standards and supporting the transformation of higher education in line with the national development agenda.

May this new year of your life be filled with continued good health, wisdom and success as you lead the nation towards greater prosperity and transformation.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2^nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ (+260) 976 936 658 │ info@hea.org.zm │ www.hea.org.zm

HEA Goes Digital: Online Accreditation System Now in Pilot Phase

HEA — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:58:41 +0000

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has launched the pilot phase of its Online Accreditation Module, moving Zambia’s higher education accreditation process off email inboxes and onto a dedicated digital platform for the first time.

The system, called the Quality Assurance Management Information System (QAMIS), is accessible at https://qamis.hea.org.zm and will allow Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to submit accreditation applications electronically, track their submissions and manage the process in one place.

This shift will cut processing times, reduce paperwork and bring much-needed transparency to how accreditation is handled across the sector.

The pilot follows a five (5)-day training workshop HEA held from 23^rd to 27^th March, 2026, at Sandy’s Creation Resort in Chilanga, where 50 HEIs sent two (2) participants each, who were drawn specifically from their Quality Assurance and Information Technology units, to get hands-on with the platform, create user accounts and work through its functions before it went live.

HEA Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, announced the start of the pilot in a communiqué to HEIs, describing it as a meaningful step forward in how the Authority delivers its services.

“The Higher Education Authority wishes to inform all Higher Education Institutions that the Online Accreditation Module is now ready for piloting,” Professor Chinsembu said, adding that the Authority appreciates the cooperation of institutions in getting the system off the ground.

Importantly, the transition is being managed carefully as during the pilot phase, the online platform will run in parallel with the existing email-based submission process through accreditation@hea.org.zm.

This is to emphasise that no institution will be cut off mid-process as the full switchover date will be communicated separately once the Authority is satisfied the system is ready to carry the full load.

Institutions whose staff attended the March training can log in immediately using the credentials created during the sessions, whilst those who missed the workshop or need account support have been advised to contact the Senior IT Officer, Mr. Francis Kawesha, on francis.kawesha@hea.org.zm or mobile number +260 979 264 810.

The Online Accreditation Module is part of a broader digital transformation agenda HEA has been building out, aimed at making its regulatory processes more efficient and more responsive to the institutions it serves. For a sector that spans Colleges, University Colleges, Technical University Colleges, Universities, Technical University, Institution for Specialised Training of Professionals in a Specified Field, and Institutes across the country, having a centralised, trackable system for accreditation is long overdue, and the strong turnout at the training suggests HEIs are ready for it.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

From Choma to the Classroom: Why HEA’s Director-General Takes Higher Education to the People

HEA — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:45:42 +0000

On a Friday afternoon in Choma, the Director-General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) sat across from a radio host and spoke for an hour, not to policymakers or university vice-chancellors, but to the farmers, parents, students and community members tuned into Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM.

It was, in the clearest possible terms, a deliberate choice. For Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, stakeholder engagement is not a line item in a schedule. It is the mechanism through which HEA’s mandate becomes real, through which regulation, accreditation and quality assurance stop being abstract bureaucratic processes and start meaning something to the young person in Chibombo or Monze wondering whether the college down the road is worth trusting with their future.

The visit to Choma forms part of the Authority’s Strategic Objective No. 2 under its Strategic Plan 2022–2026. But what the Strategic Plan describes in policy language, the Director-General translates in plain terms on community radio: check whether your institution is registered. Make sure your programme is accredited. Do not hand over your future to an institution that cannot account for itself.

“We want Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to embrace AI in a responsible manner,” Professor Chinsembu told listeners, pivoting from compliance to opportunity, adding, “AI can help us to accelerate the development of various knowledge solutions, drug discovery, diagnostics, agriculture.”

The breadth of the conversation was intentional. In the same hour, Professor Chinsembu spoke about free education as an economic strategy, about drought-resistant crops as a legitimate research priority for Southern Province universities, about the shift from theory to competence-based curricula, and about the two checks every student must make before enrolling anywhere.

None of it was ceremonial. HEA’s engagement model is built on a recognition that information asymmetry is one of the biggest risks in Zambia’s higher education landscape. Students enrol in unregistered institutions because no one told them to check. Colleges drift away from community relevance because no one demanded accountability. Institutions treat AI as either a threat or a toy because guidance has not reached them.

Professor Chinsembu’s answer to all of this is to show up in Choma, on the radio, in the language the community uses, and make the case directly.

“The starting point for transformation of our economy should and must be higher education,” he said, concluding, “We must bring higher education back into the centre.”

For HEA, that work does not begin in Lusaka. It begins with a microphone in Choma, and a Director-General willing to spend an hour making the argument to anyone who will listen.

Listen to Professor Chinsembu’s full 1 hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM here: https://youtu.be/GR7mABU7UC8.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

“AI Is Coming to Zambia’s Universities” – HEA Director-General Says the Question Is Not Whether, But How

HEA — Tue, 26 May 2026 07:52:44 +0000

The Director-General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, has stated that artificial intelligence has already arrived in Zambia’s colleges and universities, and the question the higher education subsector must now answer is not whether to embrace it, but how to use it responsibly and productively.

Professor Chinsembu made these remarks during a live one-hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM on Friday, 22^nd May, 2026, as part of his stakeholder engagement tour of Southern Province. The engagement is part of Strategic Objective No. 2 of HEA’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026, through which the Authority takes its regulatory and policy positions directly to the public, including students, parents, educators and community leaders.

“AI is becoming ubiquitous in higher education,” the Director-General said, continuing, “It is now everywhere and we want Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to embrace AI, to embrace artificial intelligence in a responsible manner, in a way that helps our students to engage in critical thinking.”

Professor Chinsembu was clear that the concern is not AI itself, but it is what students do with it. He drew a sharp distinction between using AI as a shortcut for copying and pasting, and using it as a tool for problem-solving, entrepreneurship and innovation.

“HEA wants students doing the latter,” Professor Chinsembu said, adding, “We would like our students to use AI to help them to solve problems, to think critically, and to help our students to become more practical, more entrepreneurial. We want our students to use AI to build enterprises, to create employment for themselves and others.”

The Director-General pointed to specific sectors where AI holds transformative potential for Zambia: drug discovery, medical diagnostics, mining and agriculture.

He argued that these were not distant possibilities, but were areas where Zambian students and researchers, if properly equipped, could make a real national contribution.

HEA, he added, is developing a National Higher Education Strategy specifically for AI, a framework that will guide HEIs on responsible adoption and ensure that the revolution benefits students rather than undermining the integrity of their learning.

“The bottom line is that we should be able to use AI to increase intellectual curiosity and innovation,” Professor Chinsembu said, concluding, “And to help convert knowledge into solutions for ourselves as a country.”

Listen to Professor Chinsembu’s full 1 hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM here: https://youtu.be/GR7mABU7UC8.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia. Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2^nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ +260 976 936 658│ info@hea.org.zm │ www.hea.org.zm

“Always Check Before You Enrol as Unregistered Institutions Remain a Risk” – Professor Chinsembu Warns Students

HEA — Tue, 26 May 2026 07:46:10 +0000

The Director-General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, has issued a direct warning to prospective students across Zambia that before enrolling in any college or university, they should verify that the institution is registered and that the programme is accredited, or risk wasting years and money on qualifications that will not be recognised.

The caution came during a live interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM on Friday, 22^nd May, 2026, as part of the Director-General’s stakeholder engagement tour of Southern Province under HEA’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026. The Authority’s engagement with communities is a central part of how it fulfils its mandate to protect students, not only through regulation and inspection, but through direct public education.

“Students should always check our website,” Professor Chinsembu said, adding, “We have a gazette of registered higher education institutions for 2026 and we produce this gazette every year. We also have a gazette of the accredited programmes.”

The Director-General’s message was clear and practical: two checks, every time. First, confirm that the institution is registered by the HEA. Second, confirm that the specific programme, whether a certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, or master’s, is accredited.

“A prospective student must always make sure that the programme is accredited,” he said, continuing, “These are the two most important things, the institution must be registered and the programme must be accredited.”

The warning reflects one of HEA’s core functions as the Authority conducts surveillance operations to detect and act against illegal colleges operating without registration, institutions that can ensnare students who have no way of knowing they are enrolling somewhere unrecognised.

Therefore, by taking the message to radio audiences in Choma and surrounding districts, Professor Chinsembu extended that protection beyond the institutions HEA directly inspects and into the hands of the public.

The HEA’s full gazette of registered institutions and accredited programmes is available on the Authority’s official website, here: https://hea.org.zm/downloads/gazette-notice-2/.

Listen to Professor Chinsembu’s full 1 hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM here: https://youtu.be/GR7mABU7UC8.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

HEA Pushes Universities to Solve Southern Province’s Drought and Food Challenges, with the Director-General Making Case for Locally Relevant Higher Education

HEA — Tue, 26 May 2026 07:37:16 +0000

The Director-General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, has challenged higher education institutions in Southern Province to stop operating in isolation from the communities around them and to redirect their research and training toward solving the province’s most pressing problems, including drought, food insecurity, water scarcity and lack of affordable building materials.

Speaking during a live one-hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM, on Friday, 22^nd May, 2026, Professor Chinsembu said relevance is not optional for colleges and universities, it is a responsibility.

“If we have a college here in Choma, that college must address the challenges that the people in Choma are facing,” he said.

The remarks were made as part of the Director-General’s ongoing stakeholder engagement across the country, conducted under Strategic Objective No. 2 of HEA’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026. For the Authority, these engagements are about accountability through ensuring that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) understand what is expected of them not just in terms of regulatory compliance, but in terms of their contribution to the societies that host them.

In Southern Province, Professor Chinsembu said, the realities of lower rainfall and recurring drought make it essential that HEI prioritise research into drought-resistant crop varieties, including sorghum, maize and millet, as well as livestock breeding adapted to drier conditions.

He went further to argue that HEIs should be producing research into medicinal plants with scientifically validated remedies, developing cheaper and more durable local building materials, and equipping students with the vocational skills to convert the province’s natural resources into marketable products.

“Our institutions should be able to provide solutions, practical solutions for our people,” he said, continuing, “If our people lack clean water, institutions should do research to provide solutions.”

Critically, Professor Chinsembu said this cannot happen without community-based learning, which would require a structural shift in how HEIs deploy their students. Students must spend time in communities, in industry and in the field, not just in lecture halls.

“The students that are produced by Higher Education Institutions should be society-ready,” he said, adding, “And they can only be society-ready if they start to engage with the actual problems that are faced by the community.”

The message was a direct challenge to HEIs across the province that HEA is watching not just for regulatory compliance, but for real-world impact.

Listen to Professor Chinsembu’s full 1 hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM here: https://youtu.be/GR7mABU7UC8.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Professor Chinsembu Explains Why Free Education is Just the Beginning and Why Higher Education Must Be at the Centre of Zambia’s Economic Future

HEA — Tue, 26 May 2026 06:27:44 +0000

The Director-General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, has said that Zambia’s ambition to double its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) cannot be achieved without placing higher education at the heart of national development, adding that the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s provision of free education is a deliberate investment in that vision, not a social welfare gesture.

Professor Chinsembu made the remarks on Friday, 22^nd May, 2026, during a one-hour live interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM as part of his ongoing stakeholder engagement tour of Southern Province. The visit falls under Strategic Objective No. 2 of HEA’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026, which positions stakeholder engagement not as a public relations exercise but as a core function of the Authority’s mandate to coordinate, regulate, supervise and monitor standards of higher education across Zambia.

“The starting point for building a resilient economy, the starting point for doubling our GDP, the starting point for transformation of our economy should and must be higher education,” Professor Chinsembu said, continuing, “This is why the government is providing free education, because education is the starting point.”

The Director-General was unambiguous about the reasoning, stating that higher education is the only pipeline through which Zambia produces the engineers, doctors, teachers, scientists, accountants, ICT specialists, agricultural experts and entrepreneurs that a growing economy demands.

“We cannot develop as a country if we don’t have these experts,” he said, adding, “We need competent workers in industry, we need workers that are productive, and we need to push economic growth.”

Professor Chinsembu’s message reframes free education as an economic strategy, one whose returns depend entirely on whether Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are producing graduates with the right competencies. That, he argued, is where the HEA’s role becomes decisive.

The Authority, he explained, is actively pushing HEIs to shift from theory-heavy curricula toward competence-based programmes designed to produce graduates who can build enterprises, commercialise knowledge and create employment, not merely seek it.

For HEA, the Choma engagement is part of a deliberate pattern by the Director-General of stakeholder engagements across provinces that are designed to carry the Authority’s message directly to communities, parents, students and institutions, in order to listen to what is happening on the ground. It is impact, not itinerary, that the Authority measures.

Listen to Professor Chinsembu’s full 1 hour interview on Choma Maanu Radio Station 95.1FM here: https://youtu.be/GR7mABU7UC8

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Beyond Merely Drafting the Press Release: Inside Government PR and Crisis Communication in Siavonga

HEA — Fri, 22 May 2026 11:23:00 +0000

Over the past week, Siavonga became more than just a scenic lakeside destination. It became a meeting point for Government communicators from across Zambia, brought together by a shared responsibility that is often unseen, but increasingly critical, protecting public trust through communication.

From Ministries and regulatory bodies to public institutions and agencies, over 40 public relations and communications practitioners gathered for the 2026 Government Public Relations and Crisis Management Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme organised by the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Educational Trust (ZAMCOM).

Representing the Higher Education Authority (HEA), I joined communication professionals from across Government at a time when public communication is evolving faster than ever before.

In today’s digital environment, information moves instantly. A single statement, social media post, delayed response, or misunderstood message can shape public perception within minutes. For institutions charged with public service delivery, communication is no longer simply about publicity, it is about trust, credibility, responsiveness and leadership.

Throughout the training, one message remained constant: communication is now a strategic function of governance.

Sessions on Managing Institutional Reputation, Developing Strategic Messages in Crisis Communication, Social Media Ethics and Public Trust, and Managing Viral Crises in the Digital Age highlighted the growing responsibility communication professionals carry within public institutions.

One of the strongest takeaways from the programme was the importance of preparedness. Crisis communication is no longer only about responding when something goes wrong. Institutions must anticipate risks, understand stakeholder expectations, develop communication plans in advance and respond with clarity, accuracy and empathy.

Officially opening the programme, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Mr. Thabo Kawana, reminded participants that communication professionals are often the first line of defence during moments of uncertainty.

“When we communicate effectively, we protect institutions,” Mr. Kawana said, adding, “When we communicate with integrity, we build trust and when we communicate with purpose, we strengthen our nation.”

For HEA, the lessons from the training are directly relevant to the Authority’s role in regulating higher education, strengthening stakeholder engagement and promoting public confidence in the higher education subsector.

Whether communicating accreditation decisions, public notices, policy directions, institutional engagements, student matters or national higher education developments, strategic communication remains central to ensuring that stakeholders receive timely, accurate and meaningful information.

The programme also created an opportunity for collaboration among Government communicators facing similar challenges in an increasingly fast-moving media environment.

Beyond the presentations and discussions, the interactions between practitioners reflected a growing recognition that communication professionals within public institutions must continue learning, adapting and supporting one another as the information landscape evolves.

And, perhaps that was one of the most important lessons from Siavonga that behind every Government statement, media interview, public notice, institutional response or crisis briefing are communication professionals constantly working to ensure that information remains factual, responsible and in the public interest.

For HEA, continued investment in professional development remains part of strengthening institutional effectiveness under Strategic Objective No. 2 of the HEA Strategic Plan 2022–2026 on Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement. Because in modern governance, communication is not an accessory to public service, it is part of the service itself.

I wish to express sincere appreciation to the Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, for the opportunity to participate in this important programme. His continued support towards Continuous Professional Development (CPD) within the Corporate Communications Unit reflects HEA’s commitment to building institutional capacity and ensuring that officers are equipped with the skills necessary to communicate effectively in an evolving public information environment.

#HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia

Commitment to Continuous Learning: The Ministry of Education and its affiliate bodies were strongly represented at the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop.

Captured here are (L-R): Mr. Jeff Banda, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Education; Ms. Coretta Soko, Public Relations Officer at the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ); and, Mr. Musoba.
Collaboration For Impact: Mr. Musoba poses with Mr. Morden Mumanga Mayembe (L), Director of Press and Media Engagement at the Ministry of Information and Media. The Director led a Ministerial team to assist the Authority in developing its Stakeholder Management Plan, Communication Strategy, and subsequent Implementation Plan for the Strategy.
Sharing Crisis Expertise: Ms. Namakau V. Mukelabai, Head of Corporate Communication at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), shares her firsthand experience on steering her corporate team at IDC through organisational crises. As Mr. Musoba looks on, she highlights the critical role PR and Communications Specialists play in effectively navigating unexpected challenges.
Managing Media Dynamics: Mr. Banda shares his insights on the interactive relationship between PR practitioners and the press. As Mr. Musoba listens intently, the submission addresses effective management strategies to foster balanced, collaborative engagement between organisations and media houses.
A Seat at the Boardroom Table: Mr. Musoba follows the intense deliberations from various public institutions regarding the role of PR in modern governance. The discussion heavily emphasised the necessity of elevating PR representation to the Boardroom level due to its immense strategic value in crisis management.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: Mr. Musoba participates in a breakout group session addressing the systemic challenges faced by PR and communications professionals within public institutions. The resulting group submissions will be compiled and presented to the Ministry of Information and Media to drive tangible, policy-led transformation across the sector.

————————————————————

Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.