CBU Graduates Increase

The Copperbelt University held its 19th Graduation Ceremony priding itself in the increased number of graduates this year as compared to last year. About 825 students graduated this year as compared to 714 last year representing a positive variance of 111.

The breakdown by faculty is as follows;

During the Graduation Ceremony held on 30th July, 2010 at the newly constructed graduation podium, The Copperbelt University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mutale Musonda said the University was committed to preparing graduates capable of achieving high levels of intellectual functioning and adaptable to providing practical solutions to the many societal problems.

Prof. Musonda whose theme of the speech was ‘Quality Assurance in Higher Education: A Focus on Learning’ said it was a responsibility of universities to ensure that they sent out in the labour market graduates that where of high calibre and quality and with relevance of education to contribute effectively to national development.

He however said there were several factors that impacted on quality in the educational sector which included staffing levels, adequacy of pedagogical infrastructure, consumables and quality of library holdings. “All these factors play an important role in determining the quality of programmes offered and hence the calibre and quality of graduates.”

“At present, most institutions believe that although their staffing levels may be adequate, they face challenges of resource availability in the other areas to ensure the necessary quality of graduates. Inadequacies in funding and pedagogical infrastructure all combine to compromise and threaten the quality of teaching, research and development that is undertaken and delivered by higher learning institutions such as the Copperbelt University,” Prof. Musonda said.

He said as an institution, efforts have been made to implement quality assurance mechanisms and other innovations consistent with the generic view of quality. These include bringing in external examiners from reputable institutions and universities, launching of 2009 – 2010 strategic plan with a self directing theme ‘Towards a culture of institutional accountability, stability and academic excellence’, and infrastructure development.

At the same occasion, the Copperbelt University Chancellor Prof. Muyunda Mwanalushi addressed the gathering on the theme of his speech entitled ‘Leadership and National Development.’

Prof. Mwanalushi said his vision of leadership was one that not only inspired people but was itself inspired by the people; leadership which would help to develop the African continent.

He said it was important to note that leadership was not a job for one individual alone. “In any given society or nation, leadership is a collective responsibility; no one person can meet all the tremendous demands of working out things for the whole nation. The task calls for the collective effort of Government, opposition political parties, labour, employers, academia, the Church, traditional leaders, the youth, civil society and citizens as individuals and groups,” he said.

Prof. Mwanalushi said developing a country required the collective effort, energies and abilities of all nationals. “This is a war in which the nation cannot afford to have any conscientious objectors; everyone must join. The tendency by successive governments over the years to exclude other stakeholders from actively participating in the development process has contributed to the country’s stagnation.”

He appealed to national leaders to change their approach to national issues and work towards the evolution of a political culture which would foster development. He said there was need to focus attention and efforts on national development.