The University of Zambia (UNZA) has officially launched four new Master of Science (MSc) programmes under the Department of Pure and Applied Physics, marking a significant step in the country’s push for advanced skills in science and technology.
The new programmes—MSc in Medical Physics, MSc in Nuclear Engineering, MSc in Space Science and Applications, and MSc in Health Physics and Radiation Protection—are designed to meet the growing national and regional demand for specialised expertise in critical scientific fields.
Officiating the launch on behalf of the Minister of Technology and Science, Permanent Secretary Brilliant Habeenzu highlighted that the government views these programmes as a strategic investment in Zambia’s socioeconomic transformation.
Reading a speech on behalf of Minister Felix Mutati, Mr. Habeenzu said:
“Skills will change the lives of people and drive Zambia toward becoming a competitive country propelled by science.”
He added that locally driven solutions and innovation outputs are at the heart of the Ministry’s aspirations, emphasizing that these programmes are aligned with the national Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, which aims to foster innovation, scientific research, and human capital development.
Mr. Mutati also noted the programmes’ alignment with the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP), which recognizes science and technology as key enablers of inclusive and sustainable national development.
Speaking at the same event, UNZA Vice Chancellor Professor Mundia Muya revealed that the four new programmes were developed in collaboration with Fast4Future Project, NASA, and Montana State University.
He said the MSc in Space Science and Applications has already commenced, thanks to ongoing international partnerships. The remaining three programmes were developed through a technical cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Technology and Science and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and are expected to begin in the next academic year.
Professor Muya affirmed the university’s commitment to training experts who can contribute to global scientific advancements while providing local solutions to Zambia’s development challenges.
The launch event, held in Lusaka, was attended by academics, government officials, development partners, and students.
Great and interesting strides made. One wonders aside from maintaining MRI machines, satelites (which technicians already do) what work will these graduates do? Research in these areas without the resource platform seems far fetched, when all you read about on a daily basis is political back and forth of people like Miles Sampa who do the bear minimum for the electorate.
Yes, we produce brilliant minds, and most are developed for a market that creates an envirnoment that ready for them to grow and flourish. An envirnoment that stimulates them. What are doing in that regard. We see piece but not the puzzle. Government needs to articulate its direction in this regard.
It’s progress. But the country is now awash with degrees inflation. The government needs to be more concerned about serious lack of shovel-ready technical skills. These are the critical building blocks of any nation.
I think it’s a commendable decision, but I fear the glaring hole in our education system right now is a huge lack of trade schools. We need qualified builders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, mechanics, etc. rather than someone qualified in Space Science. (unless we are bringing back the Zambian space program?)
Far from it, there is literally nothing to talk about it, look Zambia is now sixty years old and yet not even a Panadol we are failing to manufacture it, guess what how many people we have with those degree in Zambia, they are many.
The key here is not having those papers, but we must be in a position to invent and innovate new products which we can export to other countries not just export copper soil everyday.
Its the right thing to do, there is no way the University should continue teaching courses launched in 1972. We need to commend the institution and encourage them to be more agile. You can only solve 1 thing at a time. Now that these courses are launched, we need to rally behind to make them work and benefit Zambia and the region. Increasingly, so many students from around the region are enrolling in Zambia. This should be encouraged as part of educational tourism.
And after graduating with the eloquent degrees. Is there an envirnoment for them to ply their trade? Remember these are not Master of Arts degrees. The difference being the rigour and thesis one has to write. Driven to learn how to research, and not an exam driven degree.
After they learn how to research and their area of research; what has government done or is doing to create an envirnoment for these upcoming researchers to ply their trade?
People who went to UNZA in the school of humanities had their degrees labled “chikwakwa” why? They learnt abstract degrees and topics that were a disconnect with what industry required. As such, we had graduates walking the streets of Lusaka and the country, disillusioned with why they went to school and unable to ply what they studied.
Would have loved to see engineering programmes that would prepare us for our next major Infrastructure challenges. Post graduate programmes like Masters of Science in Railway Engineering and Master of Science in Bridge Engineering would serve the country in a major way.
I read that UNZA lecturers were very unhappy with the disruption of classes last week due to the Presdients visit. And that they have written to management about it. Does it mean the visit was abrupt and un coordinated like all other UPND programs.