With decades of experience and a proven record of growing one of Zambia’s most dynamic private universities from the ground up, Professor Chifwanakeni will share the bold ideas, practical steps, and leadership insights required to turn a vision into a thriving academic institution. His presentation, “What Does It Take to Build a State-of-the-Art University Campus?” promises to be one of the defining moments of the Indaba.

This groundbreaking session will not stand alone, it will open into a high-level panel discussion with both local and international higher education leaders, chaired and moderated by Professor Trywell Kalusopa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation, University of Zambia (UNZA). The panel discussion will unpack how institutions can combine vision, financing, innovation, and partnerships to reshape Zambia’s higher education landscape.

Register for the Higher Education Indaba here: www.hea.org.zm/inbaba

The inaugural Higher Education Indaba will be held from 8th to 10th October, 2025, at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, under the theme “Unlocking Zambia’s Potential Through New Investments in Quality Higher Education.”

Hosted by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Indaba will convene over 400 leaders from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), industry, cooperating partners, civil society, and other strategic stakeholders.

About Professor Chifwanakeni.

(Biography courtesy of UNILUS)

Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni is the Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka, a leading institution in Zambia’s private higher education sector. With a professional background in accounting and extensive experience in academia and business, he established the university to provide industry-relevant, entrepreneurial education aligned with national development goals. His vision is rooted in the belief that education should drive wealth creation, innovation, and economic empowerment.

Under his leadership, the University has grown to three campuses and serves over 14,000 students.

Professor Chifwanakeni is a strong advocate for academic programmes that blend theory with practical application, preparing graduates not only for the job market but also to launch and grow their own businesses. Through strategic partnerships, research promotion, and a commitment to excellence, he continues to shape the higher education landscape and advance education as a catalyst for sustainable development in Zambia and beyond.

Relevant Social Media Handles

1. Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnilusOfficial
2. Instagram: www.instagram.com/university_of_lusaka
3. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-lusaka
4. Twitter (X): www.x.com/UnilusOfficial

Register for the Higher Education Indaba here: www.hea.org.zm/inbaba

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

“Our work must not end in lecture halls, it must reach communities, policies, and the environment itself,” said Prof. Kabwe, whose work in agroforestry and food systems is firmly rooted in applied climate adaptation.

The two academics brought more than just institutional banners, they brought real stories, real research, and real students, all embodying HEA’s theme, “Adapting to Climate Change through Higher Education.”

Mrs. Kangwa didn’t just show up, she brought along Ms. Chinyama Mulako, a 4^th year Public Health student at UNILUS, giving her a rare experiential learning opportunity at a national-level event.

“We talk about climate change in class, but now I’ve seen how it connects to health, waste, and even education policy,” said Ms. Mulako, after engaging visitors at the stand.

The partnership exemplifies how academic theory can be transformed into public education, outreach, and civic engagement, a cornerstone of HEA’s message at the 2024 Show.

Prof. Kabwe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at CBU’s School of Natural Resources, where she lectures in forestry, agroforestry, sociology, and extension.

Her background includes significant experience with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Zambia Forestry College, which has shaped her interdisciplinary approach to research, particularly on climate-resilient agriculture, energy poverty, forestry landscape approaches and value chain innovation.

Within CBU, Prof. Kabwe has held key roles including Head of Department and Director of External Relations, and continues to influence both academic research and real-world applications.

Explore Prof. Kabwe’s Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=JZiqmxQAAAAJ.

As Head of the Department of Public Health at UNILUS’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mrs. Kangwa is known for integrating environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and public health into Zambia’s academic landscape.

Her leadership has included embedding climate resilience into the Public Health curriculum, and leading community engagement campaigns, including a clean-up and water sanitation drive in Chainda compound.

She has further represented UNILUS at national and international forums, including working with the Science and Technology Policy Institute (South Korea) and Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science on a National Innovation System (NIS) Policy Framework.

Her mission is clear and that is to empower students, influence national policy, and drive sustainable transformation through education.

“When academia meets advocacy, students don’t just graduate, they lead,” she said at the HEA stand.

Together, CBU and UNILUS have proven that climate innovation is alive and growing in Zambia’s higher education sector. Their decision to exhibit under HEA wasn’t symbolic, it was strategic, and deeply aligned with a future where education becomes the engine for climate adaptation.

“The best way to adapt to climate change is to prepare the minds that will shape the future, and that’s what higher education is doing,” concluded Mr. Birbal Boniface Musoba, HEA Corporate Communications Officer

Visit HEA’s stand is located at F7, near ZNBC and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

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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) │ 2^nd 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