Prof. Kazhila Croffat Chinsembu, Director General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), has emphasized since assuming office in April 2024 that his leadership aims to drive academic transformation in Zambia’s higher education sector. His vision is to develop a competitive higher education system that meets the country’s human capital needs. To achieve this, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Zambia must not only restructure their learning programs to align with national development goals but also enhance their technological capabilities to train 21st-century learners effectively.
In line with this agenda, HEA has actively sought growth opportunities through strategic collaborations, both for capacity building among its staff and for the benefit of HEIs. One such initiative is the recent engagement with the Philippine Ministry of Education and leading universities, including the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA–Las Piñas. This partnership marks a significant step in HEA’s efforts to enhance academic standards in Zambia’s higher education sector.
During HEA’s visit to the Philippines in February 2025, facilitated by renowned Indian educationist and philanthropist Dr. Gunasekar Ariyamuthu, key discussions took place with officials from the Philippine Ministry of Education and top universities. The visit resulted in landmark agreements focused on capacity development programs for HEA and new exchange opportunities for Zambian students, academic staff, and researchers. These initiatives will provide Zambian learners and scholars with exposure to the Philippines’ advanced technological expertise in fields such as medical training, engineering, material science, ICT, hospitality management, aviation, marine studies, and environmental sustainability science.
Through this partnership, Zambian academics and students will gain access to the technological advancements of top Philippine universities, further strengthening Zambia’s higher education sector and its global competitiveness.
Beyond this initiative, FENCE Educational Consultancy Inc., under the leadership of Dr. Ariyamuthu, has been at the forefront of education tourism, facilitating the arrival of Indian students in the Philippines for both medical and postgraduate studies. These students not only benefit from the country’s high academic standards but also immerse themselves in Philippine culture and heritage. Through voluntourism activities and cultural experiences, arranged in collaboration with Strikers Travel Corp., these students gain a deeper appreciation of the Philippines while contributing to local communities.
Dr. Ariyamuthu, a philanthropist based in the Philippines, holds a resident visa under the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) program of the Philippine Retirement Authority. Under his leadership, FENCE Educational Consultancy Inc. has been a trusted partner agency of Strikers Travel Corp. for over a decade, playing a key role in facilitating international academic exchanges and fostering global learning opportunities.