Thu, 06 Apr 2017 10:30:54 +0000
By DAVIS MULENGA
In March this year, the University of Africa that has been an accredited provider of private university education since 2008, churned out the 1300th graduate into the field. Minister of Higher Education Dr Nkandu Luo used the milestone to pinpoint the critical role higher education must play in Zambia’s development.
“We will partner with higher learning institutions to identify key growth areas and address the growth needs of the Zambian economy,” Dr Luo said in her keynote address to the fourth graduation ceremony of University of Africa.
She noted that achieving sustainable economic growth cannot be done without harnessing the skills of the nation through a robust and effective higher education system.
A strong critic of private universities on quality on education, Luo gushed about the impressive path the University of Africa had taken in producing high standard and quality graduates.
“I would like to commend the University of Africa for the work that you are doing to enhance Zambian capacity. My ministry is committed to working together with you to build and strengthen the Zambian economy for the greater good of all who live in our beautiful and proud country,” she said.
According to the Dr Luo, the linchpin of the university’s success lies in identifying the development needs of the economy.
It is worth pausing here to consider what the graduates and their alma mater must do to respond to the nation’s social and economic needs.
After all higher learning institutions are defined by what they produce to solve problems in societies within their context. That becomes the brand promise of the institution that it must fulfill.
This should matter more in a growing economy like Zambia where the demand for quality skills is increasingly growing.
Dr Luo urged the graduands: “Do not underestimate the service you are doing to those around you and the nation. I would like you not to stop here, but keep on setting that example through life-long learning and development. And encourage others to do as so as well.”
The ethos of higher learning institution influences the final product. The graduands, some of them with distinctions, were also challenged to exemplify the university’s graduation theme of “get ready for growth’ in their various disciplines such as commerce, engineering, bio sciences, teacher education, law and humanities.
Dr Ruth Mubanga, who occupies distinct role of first female to hold the position of chancellor in Zambia, underscored the huge challenge of driving development faced by the graduands.
“Take your new knowledge to the classroom, to the board room, to the field. Take on more new challenges. Never stop learning. Not only will you develop, but you will teach it to others by your example,’ she told the graduands.
She said that the graduands had now joined the 6% of the world population that had a degree or diploma. “You have become part of the world’s elite. What I am asking you to do is to share more than just what you know. I am asking you to serve.”
This makes the graduands a kind of conveyor belt to build their own reputation and that of their alma mater.
Significantly, the university needed to have a closer alignment with the needs of the growing Zambian economy.
Vice chancellor Dr Tobias Doyer said the university had introduced three new Masters programmes to ensure alignment with the needs of Zambian economy.
These are Masters in Primary Education, Masters in Early Childhood Education and Masters in Home Economics. Furthermore, the university was working with agriculture stakeholders to see how the institution could help equip the industry with the skills needed for meet the challenge of food production in an expanding economy.
In addition, the university was reviewing and updating existing programmes to fit into the larger Zambian growth agenda.
“Africa needs African academics, African thinkers, African researchers and African problem solvers,” he said.
No doubt, the majority of Zambians will find this argument of fostering development through quality higher education persuasive.
Dr Luo gave the proper reaction by saying that government was excited about the growth that is forecast for Zambia.
“We are relying on universities to do their part by facilitating and embracing continuous quality learning focused on the needs of the Zambian society.” She says.
