Since its establishment in 1966 the University of Zambia has had neither an office to handle international relations associated with academic affairs, staff nor student exchange. This created a challenge for institutions outside Zambia to identify the contact office at the University of Zambia when need for collaboration arises. In addition, Academic members of staff unnecessarily spent a lot of time attending to student exchange needs instead of concentrating on teaching and research while the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deans and Directors had on several occasions served as International link officers at the expense of their busy schedule.

In view of this, the Institution, has established the International Link Office to serve as a point of contact with other would be partner universities and institutions.

The University community world-wide will be provided with an opportunity to identify the office to contact when they want to know or establish contact with the University of Zambia.

International Link Offices in Universities world over exist. The concept of International Link Offices is a global phenomenon and the University of Zambia as an internationally and globally recognized institution and being a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities therefore needs this office to coordinate the ever increasing Memoranda of Understanding and associated agreements.

This establishment of the office is also in line with the UNZA Strategic Plan - 2013-2017, which outlined the need to establish the International office by 31^st December 2013 as its Strategic Objective 1.9.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL LINK OFFICE

The following are expected functions of the Office:

• To serve as a point of contact between the University of Zambia and the world University Community on matters such as collaboration in all aspects as well as attending to matters relating to both prospective and admitted students from outside Zambia. The International office will also offer general support on enquiries made to the University.
• To serve as custodian of documents relating to agreements/Memoranda of understanding entered into between the University and other institutions of learning;
• To coordinate various activities as provided for in various agreements/MoUs, such as student and staff exchange programmes, inter-institutional research collaborations and as a link with industries to enhance relations/activities of common interests, visions in the effort to create harmonization of theory and practice.
• To seek new relations and conduct monitoring and evaluation of all international related activities.