The World Bank has given Zambia US$6 million to establish a Zoonotic Research Laboratory at the University of Zambia (UNZA).
According to the UNZA Vice Chancellor, Professor Luke Mumba the laboratory will be a Center of Excellence in the Southern African region for the study of Zoonoses which is becoming increasingly important due to rapid world population growth and intensive animal husbandry.
Professor Mumba disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Ndiyoi Mutiti at the Embassy in Tokyo today.
Professor Mumba and his two man delegation are in Japan to launch the University’s strategic partnership with GIFU University, which is renowned for engineering studies.
During the meeting the Vice Chancellor thanked the Japanese government for giving Zambia about FIVE million US dollars.
He said the grant which was awarded to Zambia when President Edgar Lungu visited Japan in December, 2018 will be used for the rehabilitation and equipping of the Veterinary laboratory at UNZA School of Veterinary Medicine.
Professor Mumba said these latest developments will help UNZA achieve its set goals in the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.
“We need to set the tone for development of science and technical skills in the country. This means our teaching staff must at all times be exposed to new developments in the fields so that they can pass on appropriate skills to students,” said the Vice Chancellor.
He adds that, “The University’s teaching infrastructure and aides must move with the changing technological environment and this requires being part of the international community of researchers to exchange ideas on many challenges facing societies.”
Professor Mumba also disclosed that UNZA in collaboration with Ministry of Youth and Sports will set a Sports department in the School of Education to contribute to the growth of the discipline.
“Worldwide sports have proved to be a lucrative sector with high earnings and potential to contribute to economic development,” observed Professor Mumba.
He has since appealed to the Embassy to help the university identify corporate donors who may be willing to provide the institution with expertise and equipment for academic purposes.
And Ambassador Mutiti said the mission in Tokyo has continued to strengthen bilateral relations with Japan in many areas including education sector.
She said the mission shall ensure that players in Zambia’s education sector are linked to strategic institutions in Japan to increase interactions and exchanges for the benefit of the country.
Mrs. Mutiti praised UNZA for the strategic approach it has embarked on describing it as key to achieving the Seventh National Development Goals.
This is according to a statement issued to Money FM News by Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, Tokyo, Japan Press Secretary Yotum Mugara.

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