Don’t discriminate students at Private Universities, says Chancellor Yamba…as 403 students graduate from Zambia Open University

By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA Open University (ZAOU) Chancellor, Professor Francis Yamba, has called on Government to consider extending the loan facility to students in private Universities.
Speaking during the ZAOU 15th Graduation Ceremony held at the Newfoundland Campus in Lusaka, Chancellor Yamba said students at Private Universities are as much citizens of Zambia as those in public universities.
He said private universities have contributed greatly to human resources development in the country and deserve equal treatment by the government.
“Both public and private universities are registered with the Higher Education Authorities so they are recognized by the government and programs are also regularized by the government.
“Students at ZAOU are also Zambians like any other Zambians and when they graduate, they also enter the economy and contribute to the social and economic development of the country and therefore there is no need to discriminate against public universities,” Chacellor Yamba said.
Chancellor Yamba challenged the 403 student who graduated under the Enhanced Blended Teaching and Learning for Inclusive and Quality Higher Education, to make a great contribution to the social economic development of the country and the wider global community.
“I wish to remind our graduating students that the worth of their degree will be recognized more than anything else by the way they will use the knowledge they have acquired, the skills they have developed and the values they have imbibed from the Zambia Open university to make a contribution to the social economic development of the our country,” Mr. Yamba said.
And Zambia Open University vice Chancellor Professor Richard Siaciwena said the university has introduced a scholarship scheme which will benefit registered students who are able to help in recruiting new students in the hope that the burden of paying fees will be eased.
Professor Siaciwena said the university has signed a memorandum of understanding with National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) for the bank to assist in marketing university programmes and provide loans to students and members of staff.
He said the university is currently reviewing its learning programmes in order to ensure that only cost effective programs are offered.
He congratulated the 403 graduating students and reminded them to exhibit the Cole values of Zambia Open University which are patriotism, Honest, Industry, Generosity and Self directness.