Hangzhou, China: Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary (Administration) Dr. Gabriel Pollen has implored Zambian students studying in China to transfer their expertise back home to help contribute towards the transformation of Zambias economic landscape.
Dr Pollen said this when he met seven (7) Zambian students pursuing different programmes at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou City, China, that Zambia now requires their expertise more than before.
The students are;
Chibesa Kalinso-pursuing a PhD in Architecture
Bornwell Mutale-PhD in Agricultural Economics and Management (Food security, water-energy-food nexus)
Marc Mate-PhD Energy and Environmental Engineering (Renewable energy and carbon mitigation)
Ombani Sinkamba-MSc Civil and Geotechnical Engineering (Geotechnical hazards assessment and prevention measures)
Wilson Mabona-Bachelors Degree in Medicine and Surgery
Temwa Chishimba-Bachelors Degree in Architecture
Yande Mulenga-Bachelors Degree in Architecture.
The Permanent Secretary is in China with some government officials from selected Countries across the World, attending a training organised by the Chinese government, through the Global Development Promotion Center Network, focusing on key areas of bilateral cooperation that include; Chinas poverty reduction strategies, and Artificial Intelligence as well as comprehensive rural revitalization approaches in underdeveloped areas.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Dr. Pollen held an interactive session with the Zambian students, and encouraged them to leverage their education and experiences to help contribute to Zambias development trajectory, upon their return home.
Dr. Pollen stressed the importance of the students in utilizing their acquired skills by contributing to Zambias economic sectors that include; energy, mining, agriculture, engineering, health and other key academic disciplines, through their expertise.
The Permanent Secretary stated that China, like other developed Nations, is endowed with high-technology, which the students could maximise, and help to transfer practical skills to Zambia.
“Like other Zambian students, we see you as our key assets in our pursuit to developing our Nation further. As Government, we have an open-door policy, and we urge you to transfer your expertise so as to contribute towards the transformation of our Countrys development agenda,” Dr. Pollen stated.
The Permanent Secretary also implored the students to remain ‘good-ambassadors’ of Zambia in China by promoting the two Countries educational and cultural exchanges, such as in the area of tourism.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bornwell Mutale, a PhD student in Agricultural Economics and Management, expressed confidence that his area of study that involves; water-energy-food nexus amid Climate Change, could help to enhance Zambias agricultural productivity.
Another student, Mr. Ombani Sinkamba, whose specialization is premised on Civil and Geotechnical Engineering, said his vision was to add value towards the integrity of civil infrastructure projects.
