UNZA FOR QUALITY PROFESSIONALS

By IRVIN MUYUMBWA THE University of Zambia (UNZA) is set to take a lead in producing quality human resources needed to manage any infectious disease outbreak. This is in view of the increasing number of outbreaks in recent years, says UNZA Vice Chancellor, Professor Luke Mumba. He said there was growing global concern about emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases ravaging different parts of the world, thereby disrupting normal operations of governments, society, business and health facilities. Prof Mumba was speaking in a speech read by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Tamala Kambikambi, at the launch of rehabilitation works for the African Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals under the School of Veterinary at the university yesterday. Prof Mumba said the rehabilitation would ensure that more post graduate students were trained using hi-tech facilities. He said since inception of the project in April, 2018, the centre has trained and sponsored 146 masters’ students and 47 PhD students. And Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said research must be the benchmark of all universities in the country in line with the Higher Education Policy which was launched in 2019. Ms Siame said the rehabilitation of the centre is financed through commitment by Government and key support from cooperating partners such as the World Bank.