President Hichilema Urges Bold Reforms and Strategic Partnerships to Make Zambia a Regional Higher Education Hub
By Ms. Mapalo Kasama
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, has urged stakeholders to forge strategic partnerships aimed at transforming Zambia into a regional hub for higher education.
Speaking through the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, MP, President Hichilema emphasised the urgent need to align higher education with industry demands and global standards.
The Minister of Education officially opened the inaugural Higher Education Indaba at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort under the theme “Unlocking Zambia’s Potential Through New Investments in Quality Higher Education.”
The Indaba has brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society on a platform for critical reflection and collaboration on pressing issues such as access, quality, investment, and innovation in Zambia’s higher education sector.
In his remarks, the Republican President pointed out recent reforms such as the Zambia Education Curriculum Framework (ZECF 2023) and called for increased investment in infrastructure, digital learning, and innovation.
His Excellency noted that the Indaba marked a significant step toward modernising Zambia’s universities and colleges to produce skilled, adaptable graduates ready for global challenges.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Authority (HEA) Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, described the inaugural Indaba as a platform to reshape Zambia’s higher education financing, infrastructure, and relevance in line with national and continental development goals.
Professor Chinsembu called the event a national turning point in higher education reform and emphasised the urgent need for performance-based funding, innovative investment models, and stronger alignment between universities and the labour market.
However, the Director-General warned that incremental changes were insufficient, urging stakeholders to embrace bold, transformative thinking to address systemic challenges such as outdated curricula, underfunding, and graduate unemployment.
Professor Chinsembu further proposed the establishment of Africa’s first educational city in Zambia, envisioning a global hub for innovation, research, and youth empowerment.
“The Indaba is not merely a conference, but a movement to reimagine the future of higher education in Zambia and beyond,” he said.
The Honourable Minister of Southern Province, Mr. Credo Nanjuwa, MP, described the inaugural Higher Education Indaba as a powerful platform for collaboration among industry leaders, academics, and students, aimed at shaping Zambia’s education ecosystem.
Commending the organisers for their vision, Mr. Nanjuwa emphasised that education was not just an individual pursuit but a collective investment in the nation’s future.
Mr. Nanjuwa expressed hope that the Indaba, set in the historic city of Livingstone, would foster renewed partnerships, innovative ideas, and lasting impact on Zambia’s higher education landscape.
As the three-day Indaba unfolds, stakeholders are expected to engage in robust dialogue, forge new partnerships, and chart a clear path toward a more inclusive, innovative, and industry-aligned higher education system.
The outcome of this gathering is anticipated to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and investments that will position Zambia as a leader in higher education on the African continent.
About the Author: Ms. Mapalo Kasama is a 4th-year Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication student at the Information and Communications University (ICU). Ms. Kasama is attached to ICU TV and is providing coverage for the Inaugural Higher Education Indaba as part of ICU’s partnership with HEA to support the hosting of the event.
————————————————————
📍 Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay empowered.
Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/
#NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey
📚 Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/
📢 Don’t miss the HEA Newsletter. #HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia
📲 Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I
📲 Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.
🌐 Visit www.hea.org.zm for all higher education updates in Zambia.
📌 Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ +260 211 227 084 │ info@hea.org.zm │ www.hea.org.zm
