Luo warns universities

…Those without the research component in curriculum will be reduced to college status

ALL private universities that do not have research as one of their major curriculum components will be reduced to colleges status, Higher Education Minister Nkandu Luo has warned.

“You cannot be called a university or academia if you do not provide research because this is the cornerstone of academic life and therefore, schools of higher education and lecturers need to deliver their works based on research to their students,” Prof Luo said.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Nation Prof said that research scholars need to be in the forefront, to provide solutions to Government especially in the wake of the cholera that hit the country. “We had just been hit by the by cholera epidemic and this needed consented efforts by the scholars to provide solutions through research to bring out the cause and highlight the behavioural patterns that have characterised the shifting from one area to another,” she said.

She castigated what she termed the lazy mentality that had engulfed academia who just are busy moonlighting in their offices and waiting for a pay without bringing to the table any worthwhile knowledge that would benefit the Zambian people and the students.

“It is sad that to see Zambian research scholars lazing about and been spectators in Africa and the world, It is not possible to turn the economy of the country if we do not encapsulate the knowledge of the country especially that of young people through evidence based research,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pro Luo revealed that Nkurumah University will be opened soon has the construction works are finished at the university.

She said the construction works of student hostel was on course and she expect the work to be done in the next 6 month.

“In the next one month, works should be done, and I am going to talk to constructors to expedite the work and this is not only for Nkrumah but Mukuba as well,” she said.