….the institution has not received such an award in a long time, noting that it is a high achievement and a motivating factor for people in the education sector-Chewe The University of Zambia has been awarded the best education institution exhibitor at the just ended 88th agriculture and commercial show
The University of Zambia Acting Public Relations Manager, Stanslas Chewe, says despite the presence of other institutions in the education sector among them Copperbelt University, Mulungushi University, National institute of public administration, University of Lusaka, Zambia Education Publishing House, Ministry of Education, and Teveta, the University managed to scoop the first prize showing that it has been recognized for being the highest learning institution.
Mr Chewe said the institution has not received such an award in a long time, noting that it is a high achievement and a motivating factor for people in the education sector.
He added that being the highest learning institution a lot is expected of the University of Zambia especially leading by winning awards on certain occasions.
‘’This has proven right in the history of the University of Zambia when it won the ‘Best Education Exhibitor’ at the just ended Agriculture and Commercial Show. The Commercial show was a time to sale and buy’’ said Mr Chewe.
He said the award was received with delight as the University held a handover party of the trophy and the University of Zambia Council Chairperson Mrs. Sherry Ann Thole was the guest at the function.
“We have never had such an achievement at Unza since inception and we have never won this award before. The only time we were close to winning such an award was in 1991 when we were awarded a certificate for second prize in educational materials’’ says Chewe.
He further said that the award is a very big achievement and a motivating factor and therefore the vice chancellor felt that it is vital to call for a celebration at the highest level that is why he invited the council chairperson to come and receive the trophy.
Mr Chewe said the celebration called by the Vice Chancellor to present the trophy to the University Council Chairperson Sherry Thole was a moment of joy as the administration staffs were present to witness the presentationof the trophy to the council chairperson.
He added that management felt that it was important to hand over the trophy to the Council Chairperson, Mrs. Sherry Ann Thole who is a mentor to the girl child. She is a successful business executive who is a banker by profession and has been Permanent Secretary before.
“We are always pleased to have her around as she is a very charming lady who you would like to have around. She is very inspiring and she would inspire you especially you young ones still at school.” Said Chewe.
Meanwhile UNZA Assistant Public Relation Officer Shila Siakabeya expressed her joy over the trophy stating that it is the beginning of a new era.
“The response that we had at the agriculture and commercial show was overwhelming. We saw many people visiting our stand asking on the procedure of application for admission, how many points one needs to get into a certain school among other things,” Siakabeya said.
Siakabeya observed that the University did manage to make it as a team stating that other schools and departments were at the stand to display what they offered.
She revealed that among the schools that participated were the School of Agriculture Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Education, the Confucius Institute that was exhibiting on the programmes they offer such as Chinese language, and the School of Medicine.
She said all lecturers and students should be motivated to work hard to keep the trophy.
Many different organisations, institutions, and companies from all walks of life were present to show case what they offer in terms of goods and services.