“Quality Assurance Is What Gives a Graduate Value” – Dr. Mushumba Tells ZNBC Radio 2
The Director – Quality Assurance at the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Dr. Martin Mushumba, has said that quality assurance remains one of the most important pillars in higher education because it is what determines whether graduates leave institutions with the right competencies to contribute meaningfully to industry and national development.
Dr. Mushumba said this when he featured on the ZNBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show to discuss the ongoing Accreditation Window running from 1st April to 31st May, 2026. The programme was hosted by Ms. Mable Knight, the show’s producer, and Mr. Bonface Chansa Mukopa, her visually impaired co-host.
During the interview, Dr. Mushumba explained that quality in education is simply fitness for purpose, meaning that training at every level must prepare learners to meet the expected competencies and outcomes in the labour market.
“Quality as we define it in education is simply the fitness for purpose,” Dr. Mushumba said, adding that the process ensures that learners are prepared to meet “the expected industrial outcomes” and “the expected industrial requirements.”
He stressed that quality assurance is what defines who a graduate becomes, whether trained as a lawyer, doctor, nurse or in any other profession, because it ensures that training meets expected and comparable standards.
“It is important because this is what defines who you become,” he said.
The Director – Quality Assurance further noted that HEA’s responsibility is to make sure standards in higher education remain up to date, enforceable, regionally comparable and internationally competitive, so that graduates are shaped to meet industrial expectations and support national development.
The interview marks yet another result of HEA’s Summer School Media Training Workshop, which has led to a noticeable increase in the Authority’s appearances and media attention on higher education matters.
Such was the public interest in the subject that the show received an enormous number of phone calls, many of which could not be attended to due to lack of time. As a result, the Authority has been invited back to the programme this week on Thursday, 16th April, 2026, at 07:30hrs, so that more calls can be taken.
Meanwhile, HEA has reminded all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that the Accreditation Window remains open until 31st May, 2026, and all unaccredited learning programmes must be submitted within this period. Institutions seeking further guidance may contact the Authority through accreditation@hea.org.zm or visit www.hea.org.zm.
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