GOVT TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION OF SIX NEW SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITIES NEXT YEAR

By Elesani Phiri

Government says it will next year commence construction of six new universities across the country, following President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent announcement during his working visit to Solwezi, North-Western Province.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Dr. Kelvin Mambwe says government is currently mobilizing resources for the projects, which are expected to be completed within two to three years.

Dr. Mambwe said the new institutions will be specialized universities tailored to the key economic activities of their respective provinces, with programmes focusing on sectors such as mining, agriculture, and fisheries.

He further disclosed that government also plans to decentralize the University of Zambia by relocating some of its schools to provinces to enable students to gain practical field experience.

Under the proposal, Dr. Mambwe explained that the School of Mines would be moved to Copperbelt Province, while the School of Animal Science would be relocated to Southern Province.

Meanwhile, responding to concerns over plans to build new universities while existing public institutions face infrastructure challenges, Dr. Mambwe said government has not failed in managing higher education stating that challenges affecting public universities, including inadequate infrastructure and lecturers’ salary arrears, are longstanding issues inherited over many years and should not be attributed solely to the current administration.

PHOENIX NEWS