Government has tasked the interim University of Zambia (UNZA) Council to look at how the university’s financial position can be turned around.
Educational, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Minister Michael Kaingu says the transformation of the university’s financial position will require that the council works with management and staff to make decisions some of which will be painful as they will require that some unsustainable business practices are done away with.
Dr. Kaingu says there will be need to create new and significant internally generated revenue streams for the sustainable operation of the University of Zambia.
He has also urged the council to create a new image of the university to its customers who include the students and the general public.
The Education Minister says there is need for the council to make a difference in leadership capacity to drive the change the university requires to be a self sustainable operation.
Speaking at the same event, UNZA Chancellor Dr. Jacob Mwanza says the university is a premier institution in Zambia with a student population of 26, 000 complimented by 800 academic staff and 1, 200 administrative and technical staff.
Dr. Mwanza says although the university has a strong heritage as a leader in the provision of higher education in Zambia, the institution faces a critical shortage of teaching staff and infrastructure.
Interim UNZA Council Chairperson Namucana Musiwa says the council will take time to understand the genesis of the situation that the university finds itself in and work with the entire university community and other stakeholders to arrive at practical solutions.
And Education Minister Michael Kaingu has dissolved the Copperbelt University-CUB Council. Dr Kaingu has since appointed a Nine member Caretaker Committee to preside over the affairs of CBU with immediate effect.
The Minister has told journalists in Lusaka today that the move is meant to consolidate the agreements reached with the Copperbelt University Academic Staff Union.
And Dr Kaingu said CBU Vice Chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma will remain on indefinite leave and that the care taker committee will look into his issues.
The Minister promised to meet the staff at CBU on September 3rd, this year.
Meanwhile Dr. Kaingu has expressed concerns over declining standards in Public Universities. Dr. Kaingu has since challenged university managements to work hard and change the poor academic scenario.
Poorly written article. We have only been told about the Council Chairperson, who are the other members of the council?
May I please suggest one area in which the University can make changes to save some money. Fire all janitors and use the students for all cleaning work. Painful but practical and economical. And if any gardeners are on the payroll, fire them too. The students can easily fill in as garden boys.
By the way, I’m not suggesting anything I would not be willing to do myself if I was a student.
Interim chairperson says she will take time to understand the genesis of the situation at UNZA. What do you expect when a minister of education appoints his own niece to such a key position? UNZA does not require a person for chairperson of council who is not conversant with the situation at the institution.