India invites UNZA for engagement with its varsities

By NATION REPORTER

A DELEGATION from the University of Zambia (UNZA) has arrived in India for engagements with India’s top universities for possible cooperation in research and technology.
UNZA was invited by the Indian government through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) which works with universities and educational institutions in various countries through several initiatives aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and academic cooperation.
The delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Mundia Muya, arrived in India on Wednesday and is expected to hold meetings with various institutions where a number of key strategic initiatives in UNZA’s agenda for Zambia to become the hub for innovation and sustainable economic growth will be discussed.
Speaking when they paid a courtesy call on Zambia High Commissioner to India Percy Chanda, Prof. Muya said UNZA had identified the strategic engagements and partnerships required with institutions in India.
He noted that ICT training, health technology and local provision of specialised health services, financial deepening and digital transformation technologies, partnering in skills development for textiles and arts, and alumni engagement were among the areas of interest.
The delegation is expected to hold meetings with Jaipur National University (JNU) where issues on cooperation in curriculum development and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching-learning and evaluation will be discussed.
According to a statement by Bennie Mundando, the First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambia High Commission in New Delhi, the two universities will also engage in capacity building for doctorate programmes, research, and faculty, staff, and student exchange programmes.
The delegation will also have meetings with the University of Delhi, where it will have a tour of the university’s technology faculty with an upraisal on data analytics.
Among its mandates, ICCR offers scholarships to international students to pursue higher education in Indian universities.
These scholarships help attract students from different countries, fostering academic exchange and cultural understanding.
ICCR also offers joint research and academic collaborations where it encourages partnerships between Indian universities and foreign institutions for joint research projects, academic conferences, and faculty exchange programs.
It also facilitates student and faculty exchange programmes, allowing Indian scholars and students to study abroad while bringing international students to India as this exchange enhances cross-cultural understanding and academic collaboration.
Through these initiatives, ICCR aims to build strong academic and cultural relationships with universities worldwide, enhancing India’s global presence and fostering mutual understanding.