By PASSY HAACHIZO –

ZAMBIAN Open University (ZAOU) Chancellor Francis Yamba has challenged the Masters and Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) graduates to go in the communities and sensitise members of the public on effects of climate change.
Professor Yamba said there was need for the graduates to go and educate different communities on the effects of climate change which were ghastly.
He was speaking at the second special graduation ceremony for post-graduate students held at Mulungushi Conference Centre yesterday.
Prof Yamba urged graduates on the need to impart knowledge in the minds of members of the public on how to conserve the environment and combat the effects of climate change.
He said there was need for the graduates to use their expertise to work with the Government of the day and transform the communities into better places envied by everyone.
“At any rate, those receiving the Masters’ degree in transformative community development today are expected to go back to their communities where they will assist and advise how to handle climate issues appropriately,” Prof Yamba said.
He said time had come when more entrepreneurial elements were supposed to be put to good use in an endeavour to defeat the challenging times that were tantamount to economic growth of the country.
ZAOU Vice-Chancellor Mutale Musonda said his institution was digressive and was currently contemplating on introducing new programmes in the fields of Languages and Literature, Education, Administration and Management, Special Education, Geography and Law.
Prof Musonda applauded the Irish government which had in the last three years provided scholarships to Mzuzu University in Malawi, Mulungushi University, National University of Ireland at the Maynooth and ZAOU to engage programmes at Masters’ level.
He said the said that universities offered programmes that were backing students in such a way that they could work with the community in whatever condition.
“This programme was meant for students working with communities in areas of food security, health, nutrition and climate change,” Prof Musonda.
ZAOU yesterday saw 12 students graduate in Masters in Transformative Community Development (MTCD), four obtained PhDs while four others died while pursuing PhDs.
Professor Musonda said he was happy that the institution had seen six PHDs and 93 Masters degrees awarded to its students.