Prof Norris Underscores Importance of Partnerships & Collaborations as Catalysts for Growth
Partnerships and collaborations are critical to the growth of any modern university. This was said by Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, during a meeting with the University of Zambia management today.
A delegation from the University of Botswana is in Zambia on a mission to seek collaboration and partnership with the University of Zambia. The University of Zambia has an institute of Distance Education with a student enrolment of about 5000 students. It is in this regard that the University of Botswana is engaging UNZA to establish eLearning platforms.
UB is on a trajectory of intensifying its online programmes by creating a fully fledged online campus. In his presentation, Professor Norris acknowledged that University funding the world over was dwindling and therefore, the University of Botswana should enhance its online offerings to generate more income.
He said it was important for African universities to work together to solve their challenges instead of always looking to western countries for solutions. He said in some cases, such solutions were not compatible with African scenarios.
For her part, University of Zambia Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Annie Sikwibele, informed the UB delegation that UNZA had entered into an agreement with a private company to construct a university mall. She said the shopping mall assisted the university in generating third-stream income. Furthermore, Professor Sikwibele outline UNZA’s robust alumni programme. She said some of the activities and scholarships were from their alumni.
The two vice Chancellors stressed the need for their universities to embark on staff and student exchange programmes. The deliberations on partnerships will culminate with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on September 2, 2022.