Zambia Emerges as a Regional Education Hub, Says Education Minister
Zambia’s Education Minister Douglas Syakalima has announced that the country has established itself as a regional hub for education, attracting thousands of foreign students, particularly from Southern African countries, to its universities.
Speaking at the opening of the 6th Southern African Quality Assurance Network (SAQAN) Conference, Mr. Syakalima emphasized the convenience of Zambia’s location, just two hours from most neighboring countries, as a significant factor in this influx.
In a speech delivered by Ministry of Education Director for Universities, Amos Mumba, Syakalima highlighted the government’s commitment to education as a vital driver of development.
He noted the increasing demand for tertiary education has prompted the Zambian government to open the sector to private investment, enhancing the overall educational landscape.
Dr. Sylvia Demas, President of SAQAN, underscored the necessity for harmonizing education systems across the region, advocating for the resolution of conflicts and the sharing of best practices to achieve regional integration in education.
Additionally, Professor Kazhila Chinsembu, Director General of the Higher Education Authority of Zambia, raised concerns regarding the quality of higher education in Southern Africa.
He stressed the urgent need for decolonizing the education curriculum, advocating for an Afrocentric approach and a post-colonial mindset to transform teaching and learning methodologies in universities.
