The Republican President, His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema has implored higher institutions of learning not to operate in silos or as isolated centres of excellence, but rather to function as a united and cohesive force, from early childhood education through tertiary education.
In a speech read on his behalf by Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata, MP, during the 54th Graduation Ceremony of the University of Zambia, which was held under the theme "Empowering Minds, Shaping the Future: Advancing Knowledge for a Sustainable Tomorrow," from 22nd to 23rd May 2025, President Hichilema said the world was changing at an unprecedented pace; therefore, if the Zambian education system was to remain relevant, there was a need for universities, as vanguards of knowledge, to nurture this transformation.
He said universities have the responsibility to bridge the gap between academic achievement and the practical capabilities required to drive national development. “Our universities must become catalysts for innovation, economic diversification, and social progress. Therefore, this year’s theme resonates not only with our national aspirations but also with the very essence of what education must represent in the 21st century,” he said.
The Head of State said that in a quest to propel the transformation of the education system, the government has launched a new national curriculum framework aimed at vocationalising education in Zambia. “But let me be clear: the impact of this framework will not be realised through rhetoric alone. It is action, deliberate, sustained, and accountable, that will determine whether our aspirations become reality,” he said.
The President said to fast-track the national agenda for mindset transformation, there was a need to urgently attend to three priority areas in Zambia’s higher education system, namely, infrastructure and connectivity, research and innovation, and skills for the future.
President Hichilema said the introduction of free education has opened the gates of opportunity to many more Zambians. “Therefore, with increasing enrolments, there is a need to invest boldly and strategically in world-class infrastructure. I call upon the Higher Education Authority to exercise its regulatory mandate with conviction. Public or private, every university must rise to this challenge,” he said.
He reiterated that his government, was committed to leading by example in championing development and change. “We shall take development to all corners of our country. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) must be used prudently to transform the face of education facilities, our health delivery systems, and indeed our road infrastructure.
“Moreover, in an era defined by the knowledge economy, digital infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity. I am encouraged to learn of your efforts to expand your e-Campus delivery modes. The government will continue working to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all Zambians, regardless of location, have access to quality internet services for ease of reach to online education provision,” he said.
In the area of research and innovation, the president said Zambia must build a culture of research and innovation. “We must develop an entrepreneurial mindset across our academic institutions. We must not stand by as spectators in the digital revolution. We must be participants and leaders,” he said.
The Head of State applauded UNZA’s ambition to transform into a research-intensive institution, with an emphasis on postgraduate training. “The establishment of the UNZA Innovation Village is a strategic move in the right direction. But let us be clear: intentions alone are not enough. We must be bold in our commitments, deliberate in our actions, and relentless in our pursuit of progress,” he said.
With regards to skills development, he called on the University of Zambia, being the nation’s flagship institution, to take the lead in aligning the curricula with the demands of the future workplace.
“We need a curriculum that is responsive to emerging sectors in financial services, mining engineering, public health, sustainable urban development, tourism, agriculture, and transport. We must ensure that our people are equipped not only for employment but also for innovation and leadership on the global stage,” he said.
The president congratulated the graduates and challenged them to rise as critical thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and globally competitive citizens.
And the University of Zambia Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mundia Muya said the 54th Graduation Ceremony marked not only the culmination of a significant milestone in the lives of graduates but also the commencement of a journey filled with responsibility and purpose. He said the knowledge, values, and intellect the graduates had acquired would be instrumental in shaping the shared future and guiding collective destiny toward a resilient and sustainable tomorrow for the nation.
“For this reason, we have themed this year’s graduation as ‘Empowering Minds, Shaping the Future: Advancing Knowledge for a Resilient, Sustainable Tomorrow’ to aptly capture the essence of our existence and the direction of our university. In crafting this theme, we emphasize that empowering minds goes beyond providing education; it means fostering critical thinkers, innovators, and resilient leaders,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor implored the graduates to roll up their sleeves because the world they were about to step into, although it was rich with opportunities, was filled with challenges like climate instability, inequality, global economic uncertainty, and geopolitical shifts.
“Your ideas, your courage, and your unwavering commitment to sustainability and problem-solving will serve as the cornerstone of a resilient, sustainable future for both yourselves and our nation. Shaping the future is a collective endeavour, and you, our graduates, are at the heart of this mission. As you join the ranks of our esteemed alumni, we encourage you to carry forward this spirit of innovation and excellence.
“Guest of Honour, this Class of 2024 has been trained under the overarching 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which seeks to comprehensively re-engineer our institutional processes as expressed in the five core pillars: 1. Teaching and Learning; 2. Research and Innovation; 3. Mindset Transformation; 4. Infrastructure Development; and 5. Resource Mobilisation. In the realm of teaching and learning, we recognise the evolving socio-economic landscape—shifting from an industrial, labour-intensive system to an information-driven knowledge economy,” he said.
Prof. Muya said UNZA has strategically repositioned itself to foster a technology-enhanced, collaborative learning environment that seamlessly integrates traditional teaching methods with cutting-edge digital tools, ensuring a more personalised and engaging learning experience.
“At the heart of this transformation, is our E-Campus initiative, which is a key driver in expanding enrollment, achieving financial sustainability, and aligning our academic offerings with the evolving expectations of employers and broader societal stakeholders,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said this cohort of graduates stood as a testament to the University’s commitment to advancing its research profile, with a particular focus on postgraduate training.
“In 2024 alone, our academic community produced 893 high-impact research publications, a reflection of the dynamic research culture thriving at UNZA. As we progress toward becoming a research-intensive university, we take great pride in hosting Centres of Excellence in Earth Observation Data for Agricultural Sciences, as well as a Level 1 Biosafety Laboratory in the School of Veterinary Medicine. These facilities serve as crucial foundations for ongoing research and data-driven innovation alongside other Centres of Excellence currently in development,” he said.
He said as part of UNZA’s sustainability agenda guided by the institutional strategy for fostering creativity and intellectual empowerment, UNZA was in the process of establishing the UNZA Innovation Hub (Village), a pioneering initiative designed to incubate technological and scientific innovations, driving industrial commercialisation and national development.
“The iVillage is envisioned as a catalyst for progress, supporting breakthroughs in smart agriculture, mining technologies, healthcare, financial inclusion, and green energy. It also presents a unique opportunity to forge essential linkages between innovators and the end users of emerging technologies, ensuring practical and impactful advancements,” he said.
Prof. Muya revealed that the 54th Graduation Ceremony produced a total of 5,033 graduates; among these include 117 recipients of doctoral degrees, 1,628 master’s degree graduates, and 2,853 bachelor’s degree graduates.
“This output represents the exemplary dedication and commitment of the entire staff of the University of Zambia to service and excellence. To our esteemed graduates, your journey has been one of perseverance, resilience, and intellectual courage. Today, we honour the dedication and hard work that have brought you to this remarkable milestone. Congratulations on your achievement,” he said.