
FORMER Zambian leader Kenneth Kaunda has said he is impressed with President Rupiah Banda’s achievements in the education sector.
Dr Kaunda, who is chancellor of Cavendish University, said this when he officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern campus in Kafue yesterday.
“In my humble view, this is a clear indication of the president’s support for the education sector in our country,” Dr Kaunda said.
He said about 4,000 students were currently studying at the university and the population had continued to grow. The university continues its bid to become a world-class institution.
Dr Kaunda said the institution intended to recruit students in the southern African region once the construction of the infrastructure was completed in Kafue.
The Kafue premises would have the capacity to accommodate 8,000 students. It has been constructed at the integrated centre that would have modern houses, a shopping mall and a mini-stadium. He hailed the Government for intensifying its efforts for the public-private artnership.
Meanwhile, Vice-President George Kunda has said the Government will continue with the provision of education to foster development in the country. In a speech read for him by Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma, Mr Kunda said the Government intended to meet parameters set by the Vision 2030 which seeks to turn the country into a mid-income one.
Mr Kunda said the continued effort to improve education was a tribute to the late president Levy Mwanawasa.
He said the commercial centre would revive the economy of Kafue and expressed confidence that the institution had become a true partner of the Government.
Mr Kunda said the Government had given Cavendish University land and support to demonstrate its commitment towards the public-private partnership. He said the ideals of President Banda would remain timid because the infrastructure being constructed would stand for many years.
Mr Kunda urged management to avoid resting until the construction was completed to ensure that the project stood up within the set time. The construction of the new ultra-modern institution is expected to be completed in five years.
Also present at the ceremony was Education Permanent Secretary James Mulungushi and several other Government officials.
Cavendish University chairperson and vice-chancellor Ketrine Salati said the institution would remain a major player in the provision of education in the country.
The university was set up in Zambia in 2005 and offers various post-graduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate courses in many disciplines, including law, project management, administration, public relations and man y others.
[Times of Zambia]