By NDUBI MVULA –
THE University of Zambia (UNZA) has a new vice-chancellor.
It is a joyous moment for the 50 year-old institution of higher learning in the land to have a new vice-chancellor after almost a year in search of a successor to former vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Simukanga.
The name of the jubilee vice-chancellor is Professor Luke Evuta Mumba, who becomes the ninth UNZA vice-chancellor to run the institution.
His predecessors are D.G Anglin, B.A, M.A, DPhil who served from 1965 to 1969, then came Professor Lameck HK Goma who served from 1969 to 1976 and was succeeded by Dr Jacob M Mwanza from 1976 to 1987.
Others were Professor K Mwauluka from 1987 to 1991, then came Professor Andrew Siwela from 1991 to 1997 and was succeeded by Professor Mathew E Chanda from 1997 to 2002 and then Professor Robert Serpell from 2003 to 2006 who handed over the mantle to Professor Simukanga who steered the ship from 2007 to 2015.
“The Caretaker Committee of the University of Zambia Council wishes to inform the University Community, the general public and all stakeholders that Professor Luke Evuta Mumba has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of the University of Zambia (UNZA) with effect from 1st July, 2016,” UNZA council chairperson, Namuchana Musiwa said.
Ms Musiwa says Professor Mumba brings to the University of Zambia a wealth of knowledge and experience gained over his illustrious academic and professional career spanning over 25 years.
He comes from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) in South Africa.
She says between 2012 and 2016 he was a Programme Coordinator for the African Science Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative of NEPAD.
He was the first Regional Director for the NEPAD Southern African Network for Biosciences (SANBio) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Centre (CSIR), in Pretoria, South Africa between 2006 and 2012.
Prior to that, between 1995 – 2004 he served in the School of Natural Sciences at UNZA as Dean, Head of Department and as Assistant Dean.
Professor Mumba emerged as a Staff Development Fellow (SDF) in the Department of Biology in 1985 and progressively ascended to Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and to Associate Professorship in 2005.
“He received recognition as an Extraordinary Associate Professor in the Department of Botany and Zoology of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa between 2012 and 2014,” she says.
Professor Mumba holds a doctorate degree in genetics from University of Cambridge (1994); a Master’s Degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Wales, UK, (1987); and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry from UNZA (1985).
He is a recipient of four international research fellowships and awards (British ODA Fellowship; Beit Trust Fellowship; UNESCO Fellowship; and the Rodger Gilbert Memorial Prize Award).
He has also presented, researched and written widely on genetics, biotechnology and on science, technology and innovation (STI) in general.
“Professor Mumba has contributed to the development of STI strategies and policies at national, regional and continental levels in Africa,” she says.
He is currently a member of the African Union Commission (AUC) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Committee on the “Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa” (STISA-2024).
An alumni of Kafue Boys Secondary School (1976-80), Professor Mumba attained his primary education at Bayuni, Chilanga and Munkolo primary schools in Lusaka between 1969 and 1975. Prof Mumba is married and is blessed with one daughter and two sons.
Ms Musiwa says Professor is a member of the St. Bernadette Small Christian Community at Roma Parish in Lusaka.
“The Chancellor, Dr. Jacob Mwanza, the Council, Senate, Senior Management, Staff and Students of the University of Zambia warmly welcome Prof Mumba and wish him all the success as he takes over the leadership of Zambia’s leading university,” she says.
The Caretaker Committee of the University of Zambia Council, wishes to thank profoundly, Professor Enala Tembo-Mwase who led the institution as acting vice-chancellor from 22nd June, 2015 to 30th June, 2016,” she says.
Ms Musiwa says her Caretaker Committee also thanks Dr Mick Mwala who served as deputy vice-chancellor in the same period.
Professor Mwase and Dr Mwala now revert to their substantive positions as deputy vice-chancellor and Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, respectively and continue to contribute to the attainment of UNZA’s strategic objectives.