Education ministry seeks stronger linkages between schools and industries to enhance skills development

Government has called for strong linkages between higher learning institutions and industries.

Education Minister, Douglas Syakalima, said linkages between tertiary institutions and industries would enable students acquire practical knowledge through attachments to various industries.

Syakalima said this after touring Chenguang Biotech Zambia Agri-Dev Limited, a farm in Chibombo district, Central Province that was cultivating, harvesting and processing marigold on Sunday.

“We want to develop a cadre of graduates with expertise in both theory and practical aspects of their respective studies. This is why this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) must succeed so that students at Mulungushi University have an opportunity to learn practical side of their studies in real industries.” Syakalima said.

The firm is reportedly in the process of signing an MoU with Mulungushi University that would allow students at the University to be attached at the farm for their practical experiences.

Acting Vice Chancellor, Kawunga Nyirenda, of the university said the institution had reached an advanced stage in the process of signing an MoU with Chenguang Biotech.

“The MoU will see 50 students from Mulungushi University be attached to Chenguang Biotech Zambia Agri-Dev Limited annually to have a feel of practical work,” he said.

“We have a field of 6,800 hectors and we currently need between 4,000 and 5,000 workers daily but we are only managing 1,500. This means we desperately need human resources for our farm to work effectively and efficiently,” Assistant General Manager, Wang said.

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