DEGREES NOT ENOUGH
…We need qualified problem solvers, says UNILUS boss Chifwanakeni
By Ludia Ngwadzai
ZAMBIA does not need individuals with a chain of degrees to solve its economic problems but qualified people who are ready to find practical answers, says University of Lusaka (UNILUS) vice chancellor Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni.
Prof Chifwanakeni was addressing graduates during the 20th UNILUS graduation ceremony at the Silverest campus in Chongwe District under the theme ‘Relevance’.
He said acquiring more degrees was not a critical matter but how to remain relevant to the society in which one lived.
“Are you relevant? What made you pursue an additional qualification if what you had was relevant? Love for money? Today we don’t just celebrate degrees; we celebrate relevance,” Prof Chifwanakeni said. “Relevance, in simple terms, is the fruitfulness, value, or significance that positively impacts your family, your society, and the companies you work for.”
Prof Chifwanakeni was worried about many highly qualified individuals with master’s and doctorate degrees who were not relevant to society.
He said many first degree, master’s and doctorate holders had failed to make an impact in society despite carrying lofty titles.
“So much of what we do does not end up being relevant because it does not positively affect society. In many parts of the world, universities are being asked a hard question: Are you relevant?” he said.
Prof Chifwanakeni said the University of Lusaka had over the past years answered with confidence about its relevance by producing graduates who were practical and impactful to society.
“We are relevant because we demonstrate what we teach practically. When you walk on the grounds of the University of Lusaka, it shows; it speaks for itself. And if that is our expectation of those of you who are graduating today, as you walk out from here, you must prove to be relevant,” Prof Chifwanakeni said.
He said UNILUS remained committed to producing the type of graduates industry wanted to employ while creating their own employment.
“We are relevant because we teach what we practise and what matters. We are relevant because we produce graduates whom the industry wants to employ and who can employ themselves while creating employment for others. We are relevant because our state speaks to Zambian and worldwide challenges, from health to justice to technology to business growth,” Prof Chifwanakeni said.
He challenged the graduates to be relevant not by holding certificates but by solving society’s problems.
