Higher Education Key Driver for Sustainable Development Goals-Kayula Siame
The Government through the Ministry of Higher Education in joint efforts with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) on key areas of cooperation to deepen institutional engagement in the higher education sector.
Higher Education Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said the Government through the Ministry of Higher Education will not only considerably view achievable goals but execute in a much wider context of generally developing science, technology and innovation as well as education and skills development and recognising its position in the development of our country. The signing ceremony took place today in Lusaka 20th January 2020.
Higher Education PS (Kayula Siame)
PS Siame and UNDP Rep Laurel explained that to achieve the goals of the MoU, collectively reaffirmed their commitment to work together for strategic and coordinated approach for delivering impact and called for innovative partnerships to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Government, civil society, cooperating partners, International Financing Institutions and the private sector so as to identify innovative financing models.
(L)-Lionel Laurens-UNDP Country representative and (R)-Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Mrs. Kayula Siame
Mrs. Siame said the Government through her Ministry will continue the strategic dialogue on joint priorities, at all levels, so that in order to complement and leverage each organization’s comparative advantage to the benefit of the country’s development.
And the UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia Lionel Laurens was pleased to align the contribution of UNDP around the vision of the Government of the Republic of Zambia for a country which leverages its young population for productive and meaningful engagement in the sustainable development of the nation, Mr. Laurens noted that the collaboration between the two parties reaffirms UNDP’s continuous support to Zambia´s efforts to spur progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Lionel Laurens-UNDP Country representative
The MoU spell out a number of key interventions incorporating acceleration on the role of higher education institutions by building on successful past and ongoing collaborations in the fields of higher education, vocational education and training, application of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development.
During implementation of the MoU, expected key result areas of cooperation will also include applied research programmes, improving youth employability, knowledge sharing and enhancing gender equality.
On course, the two parties will identify areas of mutual interest in order to foster development partnerships and contribute to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities that will ultimately result in accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs in the country.
Director Planning and Information-Mr. Mubanga
The signed document will also diversely promote public awareness in areas such as enhancing gender equality through supporting initiatives to encourage girls and women to pursue higher education, vocational education and training and specialize in scientific research and technological innovation to promote gender equality.
The MoU will also support the women’s empowerment, which are essential conditions for achieving the SDGs.
Director Planning Far Right-looks on
Further, the cooperation will simultaneously promote innovations and internship programmes and connect potential youth volunteers with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to their communities, while gaining valuable work experience and skills for future employment.
As part of the agreement, the Ministry of Higher Education and UNPD will collaborate on promoting knowledge sharing and mutual learning to accelerate transformation in line with the SDGs.
(L-R) Mr. Laurens, Ps Kayula, Bonaventure Mutale, Succeed Mubanga, and Elizaberth Mwendachabe
“When all key stakeholders do their part and forge partnerships that pull in the same direction, reaching the SDGs by 2030 will no longer be a vision; it will be reality,” Laurens
Public Relations Office – MoHE
