Copperbelt University (CBU) visiting research professor Clive Chirwa noted that most Zambian engineers were maintenance engineers and not innovative Prof Chirwa was speaking at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone on Saturday night during the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) 2014 National Symposium and Annual General Meeting (AGM) Gala Dinner. Prof Chirwa said it was sad that Zambia had to import products such as spoons which could be produced locally from copper. Professor Clive Chirwa said there was need to move the engineering profession in Zambia to a higher level of excellence. And Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga urged Engineers in Zambia to ‘resurrect ‘and take up their correct positions of promoting in the country. Mr Mukanga said engineers needed to know that they had solutions to whatever problems that society faced and hence they should ‘resurrect’ by taking up their correct positions in the economy. Mr Mukanga, who is also a qualified engineer, said it was time engineers ‘resurrected’ and ensured that they contributed effectively to the development process of the nation. Mr Mukanga urged engineers to carry out self introspection on their contribution to the economy as there would be no sustainable development in the absence of engineers. “As engineers, we need to know that we have the solution to whatever problems that this nation may have. All solutions we need are supposed to be engineering solutions. Without engineering, nothing can be done,” he said. He said he was wondering why EIZ picked the Easter period for its symposium and AGM when the entire world were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ but he later understood that engineers needed to resurrect in the manner they worked. “Next time when we meet as engineers, we should have moved from one place to a higher level. Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said he wanted to be innovative and not only being a mere maintenance engineer. Time has come when we need to inspire our children and those in schools to become engineers. I want to be one of the engineers who will have contributed to changes in the country,” he said. Mr Mukanga said he wanted to be innovative and not only being a mere maintenance engineer. And speaking at the same dinner, EIZ president Bernard thanked the Government for being supportive to the Institute in terms of funding. “This year, the Government allocated K2.1 million to EIZ and we are grateful. There has been an appreciable movement in terms of membership and increasing profitability in the last two years,” he said. Mr Chiwala has been re-elected as EIZ president while George Sitali is vice president for policy, public relations and national development. Peter Kapala went unopposed as vice president for finance and administration and Stephen Simukanga is vice president for membership and continuing professional development. Other council members Abel Ng’andu, Duncan Ngoma, Patrick Kampengele, Robinson Misitala, Muya Mundia and Christopher Mubemba. During the dinner, some students from Livingstone Institute of Engineering Studies (LIBES), Choma Trades, Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC) as well as Northern Technical College (NORTEC) won various awards from the just ended 2014 Engineering Skills Competition.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 09:08:02 +0000
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