Parliamentary Committee Kicks Off Nationwide HEI Tour at HEA
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) was honoured this morning to welcome members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zambia.
The engagement marked the Committee’s first stop on its nationwide tour of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Over the coming days, the Committee will visit 13 institutions, including three (3) that fall outside HEA’s regulatory mandate.
HEA Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, accompanied by Management and Staff, received the delegation at the Authority’s Lusaka offices. This milestone engagement was the first time in HEA’s history that the Committee visited the Authority for an official interaction on-site.
Speaking during the engagement, Committee Chairperson Honourable Mr. Harry Kamboni, MP., explained that the visit to HEA ahead of the institutional tour was intentional.
“We wanted to understand how HEA registers private universities and recognises public institutions before visiting the HEIs themselves,” he said.
Honourable Kamboni further emphasised the importance of transparency and honesty during the session, invoking Cap 12 of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act to protect all statements made.
“I want you to speak freely, so I am invoking Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia, which protects witnesses from civil or criminal liability for evidence given before a Parliamentary Committee, so long as you are telling the truth,” he stated.
The Kalomo Central lawmaker noted that candid discussions were crucial to determine whether HEA is fully equipped to uphold and assure quality in Zambia’s higher education sector.
The Committee on Education, Science and Technology is tasked with studying, reporting on, and making recommendations to Government through the House on the policies, operations, and oversight of the Ministries of Education and Science, Technology and Vocational Training, as well as related agencies.
In addition to Honourable Kamboni, the visiting delegation included:
- Honourable Ms. Melesiana Phiri, MP. (Vice-Chairperson, Milanzi)
- Honourable Mr. Twaambo Elvis Mutinta, MP. (Itezhi-Tezhi)
- Honourable Mr. Chinga Miyutu, MP. (Kalabo Central)
- Honourable Mr. Tyson Simuzingili, MP. (Gwembe)
- Honourable Mr. Elias Daka, MP. (Msanzala)
- Honourable Mr. Sydney Mushanga, MP. (Bwacha)
Honourable Mr. Allen Banda, MP. (Chimwemwe), a member of the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters, was also part of the delegation. This engagement signalled a strong commitment by both Parliament and HEA to strengthening dialogue, transparency, and cooperation in the ongoing efforts to raise the quality and relevance of Zambia’s higher education system.
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