Unicaf University, Zambia celebrates the Class of 2026
The 7th Graduation Ceremony of Unicaf University, Zambia took place on October 16th, under the theme “Educating for Resilience, Innovation and Global Citizenship”. The Class of 2026, comprised of 1,073 students from Zambia and from a record 78 other countries across the world, celebrated their academic achievements during a Ceremony held at the University’s state-of-the-art campus in Lusaka. This year’s Unicaf University, Zambia graduates hail from countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Middle East.
The new graduates were awarded Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Business, Management, Accounting & Finance, Law, Education, English Language & Literature, Marketing, Hospitality Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Management, Oil, Gas & Energy Management, Project Management, Healthcare Management, Public Administration, Computer Science, Managerial Psychology and Sustainable Development.
The Guest of Honour, Ms Noriana M. Muneku, Permanent Secretary-Administration, at the Zambian Ministry of Education, congratulated the new graduates, and stated that new technologies are changing the way people work, while communities are facing economic pressures and environmental changes. Ms Muneku emphasised that Zambia needs graduates who see possibilities in the challenges around them, and that Africa needs collaborators who can share knowledge and build solutions that work in their own communities.
The Permanent Secretary went on to say that global citizenship begins with an openness to learn from those with different experiences and to examine a problem from different perspectives, while respecting local knowledge, needs and aspirations. In conclusion, Ms Muneku thanked parents and loved ones for supporting the graduates throughout their studies and added: “To the academics and staff of Unicaf University, Zambia: thank you for guiding your students through the demands and possibilities of higher education, your work will continue in the lives and contributions of those graduating today. To the graduates of 2026: Continue learning, be brave enough to try, disciplined enough to improve and generous enough to help others advance. Wherever you go, carry with you the resilience to meet difficulty, the imagination to solve problems and the respect for others that gives global citizenship its true meaning”.
In his address, the Chancellor of the University, Professor Mpazi Sinjela, said that the new graduates are the living proof of Unicaf University’s promise to take quality higher education to every corner of the world. Τhe theme “Resilience, Innovation and Global Citizenship”, Chancellor Sinjela said, highlights the strong will to succeed against all odds in achieving your goals through innovative solutions of global character. Turning to the graduates, Professor Sinjela offered the following advice: “Remain resilient scholars. Stay abreast of new developments in your field to remain relevant. Be innovators, think outside the box, find new solutions. Think globally in solving local problems. Mentor one person. Improve one community. Create one job. That is how nations get transformed.”
The Vice-Chancellor of Unicaf University, Zambia, Professor Donald Chungu, described in his speech ‘Resilience, Innovation and Global Citizenship’ as the qualities that define success. Education without service to the community, without benefits for the people and the homeland is hollow, the Vice-Chancellor stressed, encouraging Zambian graduates to use their knowledge to strengthen Zambia’s future and Africa’s trajectory. Professor Chungu referred to Zambia’s development goal to build a knowledge economy centred on human excellence by investing in people, education, skills and leadership, and urged the new graduates: “Stay connected and support those who follow. Build institutions, not just careers. Lead with integrity. Mentor the next generation. And remember that when you succeed, you succeed for your families and their sacrifices. For your communities who depend on you. For your nation which needs your gifts. For your continent which is watching. For a world that desperately needs educated, compassionate, ethical leaders. That is the true power of your education. Go forth and lead with excellence, compassion, and purpose.”
The Valedictorian of the Class of 2026, Dr Bella Murungi Dutki from Uganda and currently residing in Japan, was awarded the Doctorate in Business Administration. Dr Murungi Dutki underlined in her speech the determination, courage and perseverance behind every graduate’s achievement. Speaking to her fellow graduates, she said: “The true value of our education will be seen in how we apply it in our professions, our institutions and our communities. Let us use our knowledge, skills and technology to solve real problems, expand opportunities and develop solutions that respond to the realities of the world. Let us be thoughtful ambassadors, ethical professionals and compassionate leaders, who understand that progress is meaningful only when it improves the lives of others”.
The Graduation Ceremony culminated with the conferment of degrees by the University’s Chancellor, Professor Mpazi Sinjela. Feeling proud and excited, graduating students received their award certificates from high-ranking academics of Unicaf University. Fellow students and loved ones applauded warmly as the Zambia Police Service Brass Band played uplifting tunes.
Unicaf University Campus, Plot 193, Kasangula Road, Roma Park, Lusaka
Email: info@zambia.unicaf.org | Website: www.unicafuniversity.ac.zm
Written by Eva Koursoumba
