UNILUS Confers 7th Honorary Doctorate on President Hichilema, Citing Leadership in Investment and Enterprise Development
The University of Lusaka (UNILUS) has conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Investment and Enterprise Development on the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, marking the seventh such recognition bestowed upon him by academia.
The honour was conferred during a special ceremony held at the UNILUS Silverest Campus in Chongwe District, an event that also coincided with the commissioning of the University’s new campus and Teaching Hospital, a development that further strengthens the infrastructure supporting higher education and training in Zambia.
According to the University, the award recognises the President’s leadership in advancing economic transformation, enterprise growth, fiscal discipline and market-driven development, policy directions that continue to shape Zambia’s investment landscape and expand opportunities for citizens and institutions alike.
Speaking during the conferment, UNILUS Chancellor, Dr. Caleb Fundanga, and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni, highlighted the administration’s reform agenda, noting its role in restoring investor confidence, strengthening international partnerships, and positioning the country for sustained economic growth, including the introduction of a 24-hour economy.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has congratulated the President on this latest honour, describing it as a clear recognition by the academy of leadership that continues to align economic transformation with the aspirations of higher education. The Authority noted that such recognition affirms the growing intersection between national policy direction and the role of universities in driving innovation, enterprise and human capital development.
In accepting the honour, President Hichilema dedicated the recognition to the people of Zambia, reaffirming that national progress is rooted in collective effort and shared vision.
“We accept this recognition with deep gratitude and dedicate it to the resilient people of Zambia, whose trust, hard work and aspirations continue to inspire our journey of service and national development,” President Hichilema said.
The UNILUS conferment builds on a growing list of honorary doctorates awarded to the President by both local and international institutions. These include recognitions from Valley View University in Ghana (2023), Heriot-Watt University in the United Kingdom (2024), the University of Zambia, Mulungushi University, ZCAS University, and most recently the Copperbelt University, which honoured him for leadership in revitalising Zambia’s mining sector and restoring investor confidence.
Taken together, these recognitions point to a leadership trajectory that continues to resonate with the academy, particularly in areas where economic policy, governance and development intersect with research, innovation and skills development.
For the higher education subsector, the significance of such recognition extends beyond the individual. Investment and enterprise development are not abstract concepts, but they are outcomes shaped by the quality, relevance and responsiveness of higher education systems.
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His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, joins Government Official including the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, MP., and Honourable Minister of Technology and Science, Mr. Felix Mutati, MP., University leadership, and distinguished guests following the conferment ceremony at the UNILUS Silverest Campus. Image courtesy of UNILUS.
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