First Lady Thandiwe Banda has launched the Binary-First Lady of Zambia scholarship programme in collaboration with the Binary University College of Malaysia which has made available five scholarships.
The scholarships will enable five Zambians study post graduate programmes in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Masters Degrees in Business Administration in Malaysia.
ZANIS reports that speaking at the launch of the programmme at State House today, First Lady Thandiwe Banda said the Zambian government has prioritised education as a key feature for national development.
Mrs. Banda said the country has also recorded an increase in the number of private universities which has resulted in increased number of graduates from higher learning institutions.
The First Lady assured Binary University College that the scholarships will be given to the best and deserving Zambians.
She also thanked the University College for giving her the scholarships so that she could help contribute to Zambian’s higher education system.
Mrs. Banda explained that she has chosen education as a key social priority so that she could contribute to the wellbeing of Zambian communities.
“I have a pledge to help in ensuring that as many Zambians as possible gain access to quality education. I would like to believe that this is one of those avenues. I will continue being of service whenever I can,” she said.
Mrs. Banda also encouraged Zambians not to be comfortable with their levels of education but strive to achieve more.
At the same occasion, Binary University College of Malaysia Executive Chairman Professor Joseph Adaikalam said the college is planning to set up a university in Zambia with construction expected to start by September this year.
Professor Adaikalam said Zambia has become the first country in Africa where the college will set up a school to provide higher education to the citizens.
He explained that the coming of Binary University College to Zambian will make Zambia a regional centre of excellence in education.
Prof. Adaikalam said Zambia will greatly benefit in technological, and skills transfer from both the scholarships that will be offered and the setting up of the university.
And Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary (PS) Andrew Phiri said in a speech read on his behalf by Acting PS in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Margret Miyoba that it is important that the country creates a mass of people with specialised skills for the country to attain the middle income status by 2030.
He also said Government will soon establish a higher educational loan board that will strengthen loan recovery systems and reach out to many students.
Dr. Phiri has since commended the scholarship programmes saying this will help complement Government efforts in providing higher education to Zambians.
ZANIS
Poor UNZA should pull its socks,the once Zambian prestigious varsity has been turned into a tourist attraction.I think some courses can be compressed to 3 years,some of the courses are too academic
Now you are working madam, consider local universities too.
Mama Thandi thats a step in the right direction. Anyway you are a teacher by career so you know what you doing
Cheap politics, Why boast for 3 Scholarships which are just given as grants or goodwill by the malaysian Gov. Look at Uganda and Zimbabwe we 30 Students being granted Scholarships every year to study at various Universities by the egyptian gov, what is 3
#4 uushitasha mwana wa ndoshi. Thandiwe could have opted to just be sleeping in the state house comfort. But he’s chosen to empower some Zambian. Even one would be great in my view.
I just hope it wont go like Hope Foundation or , Maureen what?
Well done Madam Banda. Please award these scholarships to deserving candidates. If I were you I would ensure that girls are given first consideration….
#4 look at the positive side of things. 3 is better than nothing and besides there are other schoolarships around believe me you there are more than a 100 zambians on schoolarships at any 1 given time through various organisations. You have to understand that education is expensive as 5 has stated even 1 schoolarship would be great. Give credit where it’s due.
‘Mrs. Banda also encouraged Zambians not to be comfortable with their levels of education but strive to achieve more.’
I hope she is also planning to upgrade her education as being a trained primary school teacher is not enough for the wife of a head of state! We should all lead by example whether as parents or as national leaders.
Does she even know the value of education considering that she herself is a just a teacher with no ambition what so ever to further her education?
#4 tomlee you are thankless pity you, shame, #5 umwina nkana ushitasha mwana wa ndonshi likw tomlee. #7 afroking thats good advice to pipo like tonlee. #9 sumguy a teacher is educated and i guess better that you a dishwasher
ladyship and sum guy, you are not residents in zed, thats why you write so ignorantly, the zambian first lady upgraded herself and was seen in the daily tabloids graduating. research
Better than the Maureen Mwana Intitiative or the Vera Chiluba HOPE….Which were money spinners for pocket
This is cheap campaign
Why is the ministry of education not championing world-wide scholarships for all qualified Zambians? In addition, why not use the Zambian embassies and high commissions to scout for scholarships abroad since UNZA was disabled many years ago?
‘hello, what is Chomba doing these days? Dont you want him to go to school in Asia? All paid for!’
i neva knew da deputy governor is bemba………. hope she is nt crooked as da rest!!.. >>> thumbs up mama RB!
Well done madam!
Well done bana Mpundu.
Guyz i appreciate your critisism, and FYI inshili mwana wandoshi #5 and 7 the , The reason to why i said this is coz the issue is not news worthy, Even small things that dont even require to be written in papers are written just coz she is a first lady try to gain political mileage out of nothing
Life is about NETWORKING people and getting the best from each other.
Well Done! Thandiwe” . It is good that you are connecting Zambians to study with the Malaysian University
You were privileged to have Educated Parents growing up in Parklands & Riverside in Kitwe that provided everything for you. Your father was a big Boss in Post & Telecommunications Corporation, now ZAMTEL and your mother being a Teacher.
You started as a School Teacher, then studied Information Technology at the Australian University while serving as a First Lady. Now is the time to pass the baton to others using your influential position?
Keep on going and “Championing” this course by giving an example to young Zambians to dream high, especially those that are under privileged. Zambia needs expertise in Information Technology to compete with the fast-paced changing Global Village.
Why give a damn scholarship such a name…?
This is a good example. You could have chosen to just sit and enjoy your position, but after getting into State House, you pursued to study a Degree Program in IT from the Australian University ( Kabulonga Lusaka) This shows that you appreciate Education.
Correct me if im wrong,,but did she go soliciting for these scholarships or Binary University college paid a courtesy call on her with a view of setting up a university in Zambia and in the process offered these 3 scholarships.The 3 scholarships are nothing compared to what Binary college is going to reap,a good example is the ECU college in kabulonga,people are paying a lot of money and all that money goes to australia
Honestly speaking,did Thandi go to Malaysian embassy to negotiate for these scholarships,or did she go to malaysia to meet up with the principle
Congratulations for what,call me whatever you want but im not going to congratulate her for sitting in state hse while someone offers manner on a silver platter n she comes out as Queen Shebba,mother of mercy and kindness
# 4 Afroking
I believe you did not just land where you are today. You must have started from primary and worked your way to the top. In everything, we do in life, we start small, or from the bottom, them grow, expand or work your way to the top. Whether its in Education, Business, Professional Careers or just growing up as human being.
This start and you should not expect these people just to drop 30 Scholarships to her at one go.
I know about the Schorlarships from Egypt to East & Southern African countries, they too started in small numbers. You can do research on the matter and find this info for free.
Sorry meant @ 25
” This is a start and you should not expect these people just to drop 30 Scholarships to her at one go”
Thanks for hpeilng me to see things in a different light.
24 Smoothcriminal )):
Thandie was in Malaysia last year in September, she could have solicited the scholarships during the trip
Afroking #7
Sorry my comments on 25# were directed to 4# Thomlee.
#27 HIV
During the month of september 2010 RB commisioned an MRI scan at UTH Thandie was there,on 11 septemebr RB was in Mwinilunga the first lady accompanied him,on 17 September official opening of parliament,i believe she was sitting next to him in parley, and during the same month im made to believe she made some donations to some women clubs in rural zambia
I hope this programme does not end by the end of 2011 when a new govt will be in place
Binary? Can I be awarded one of the scholarships, i have never dealt with a malaysian before, they must be sweet judging from their structure…..thanks thandi
Somewhat good. How many mushroom colleges/universities is our Zambia going to have mwe? Would it not be better to channel all her ladyship’s efforts and “connections” to pool more resources in rehabilitating and renovating our UNZA please?
Noww the MMD wants to sell schools and colleges Nikwisa tuleola mwebanthu??
Cheap politics. those scholarships will be given amongst themselves! selfish!
Its only her relatives and those of RB’s who will be getting the schoolarships.
On a lighter note-kwena, RB is a dribler indeed-how did he manage to drible around and win the heart of this young beautiful seemingly innocent girl-at his age? Pls do not chop my heard, I am not admiring ba first lady- I am just curious about the manifesto he put on the table to win her heart- may be I can plagiarise it to be able to get a beautiful woman for a wife too!!!!!
Her Ladyship will only be satisfied if all of the people who get scholarships are Bembas like herself. By the way, does anybody know what the PF stance on improving education in the country is?
No commoner will go there to tell you the truth.Names are already there for that selection.Meanwhile thank Madam Banda for the efforts.
#30, you are a weird dreamer, keep on dream
it is all political the best students who deserves it do not even get these scholarships .Right now 2 children of a minister are in Malaysia on scholarship and they both did not get good results .Ridiculous.
These are children i know in and out.The ones who need it are left to sufffer.
Malaysia is worth investing in!
Go for it girl and make sure that deserving students form poor/vulnerable financial background are considered.
Hope it remains a ‘First Lady’s programme’ for contnuity by all First Ladies to follow after you. Prepare to handover when the time comes.
I salute you girl.
Is it a job to be first lady in Zambia? I am fed up of seeing this lady in the newspapers everyday. There are so many pressing problems in Zambia?