THE Higher Education Authority (HEA) has rejected to recognize six postgraduate degrees offered by Twin Palm Leadership University, as qualifications.

Higher Education Authority Corporate Communications Officer Birbal Boniface Musoba this follows an investigation conducted by the authority into the circumstances under which the degrees were awarded.

“Notice is hereby given to the general public that the Higher Education Authority (HEA) does not recognize the six (6) Postgraduate Degrees (PhDs) in the field of Transformational Leadership that were conferred by Twin Palm Leadership University, Reg. No. HEA/044, at a graduation ceremony held on 25th April, 2020,” Mr Musoba said.

He said due to the irregularities surrounding the awarding of the six PhDs, the authority does not recognise them as the Higher Education Institution as they contravene the provisions of the Higher Education Act number 4 of 2013 and Statutory Instrument number 25 of 2016.

“Therefore, the 6 PhDs that were conferred by Twin Palm Leadership University on 25th April, 2020, are not recognized as qualifications in Zambia,” he said.

Mr Musoba further said HEA has, accordingly, informed the Zambia Qualifications Authority not to recognise the PhDs as qualifications.

“HEA will continue to take such actions as part of its continued efforts in safeguarding the quality of higher education in Zambia,” he said.

Professor Mpazi Sinjela becomes Unicaf University’s first Chancellor as the University celebrates the graduation of its first students.

Unicaf University had a lot to celebrate in December: Professor Mpazi Sinjela was officially inaugurated as the institution’s first Chancellor, during the historic graduation ceremony of its first cohort of students. The graduation ceremony was broadcast on social media and on Zambian TV, as it had to be held partly online due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Professor Sinjela became the first Vice Chancellor of Unicaf University in Zambia in 2017. A world renowned legal expert, Professor Sinjela is also an outstanding academic. He has had an illustrious international career, working for the United Nations in New York and in Africa, as well as for the World Intellectual Property Organisation Academy in Switzerland. He holds a Master of Laws and a Doctorate of Laws from Yale University in the USA and has served as visiting Professor at universities in Italy and Sweden, and at the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.

During the graduation ceremony, the current Vice Chancellor of Unicaf University in Zambia, Dr Christine Phiri Mushibwe, presented the new Chancellor stating that Professor Sinjela was the ideal choice for this prestigious post, not only for his considerable achievements in academia and in international legal affairs, but also for his strength of character.

Addressing the graduands after his inauguration, the Chancellor of Unicaf University advised them to use their newly acquired knowledge to contribute towards the advancement of their countries and the improvement of the quality of life of their fellow citizens.

He stressed that education is one of the most important factors that influences personal and national development and urged the first graduates of Unicaf University in Zambia to aspire, as much as possible, to attain the highest level of education, and improve their career prospects at the global workplace. And he continued: “I wish to pay tribute to Unicaf University, which I had the privilege to serve as its first Vice Chancellor in Zambia, for the role it is playing at the global level and more particularly at the continental level. This University has brought higher education to our doorstep, through its virtual learning method. With Unicaf University it is now possible for anyone, regardless of location or financial situation, to access international quality higher education online, at an affordable cost, through the Unicaf Scholarship Programme, and contribute to national and continental development.”

A cocktail reception to celebrate the inauguration of the first Chancellor of Unicaf University was held at the University’s campus, in the presence of dignitaries including the former Governor of the Bank of Zambia Dr Caleb Fundanga, the Honourable Mr Justice Palan Mulonda, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Zambia, and leading entrepreneur Dr Lawrence Sikutwa, President of the LSA Group of Companies.

Unicaf University is an independent, multi-campus university, offering modern academic programmes that lead to internationally recognised qualifications, at affordable cost. The programmes offered by Unicaf University are accredited by the Higher Education Authority of Zambia. The Unicaf University campus in Zambia, located in Lusaka, is accredited by the British Education Council as a Higher Education Provider.