By ZANIS:

Kapasa Makasa University (KMU) in Muchinga Province is set to benefit from a Fish breeding training programme from Guangdong Ocean University in China.

KMU Vice-Chancellor Jacob Mwetwa said the University has since signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese University to enable students from the institution to undergo a fish breeding training programme in China.

Speaking when a team from Guangdong Ocean University paid a courtesy call on Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule in Chinsali yesterday, Professor Mwetwa stated that the programme is aimed at imparting knowledge of effective fish breeding methods to fisheries students at the University.

He disclosed that an implementation plan has already been done in readiness to kick-start the fish-breeding programme that was recently conducted online.

“The fish breeding programme was not only offered to our students but also colleagues from the department of fisheries,” he added.

Professor Mwetwa further mentioned that the University, through its collaboration with the Chinese University, is also planning to establish the first-ever national tilapia-breeding centre in the country after the success of the training programme.

And Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule said the initiative by Kapasa Makasa University is highly commendable as it focuses on practice-based programmes.

Mr Mukungule charged that the training programme will help the students replicate their knowledge to the local fish farmers, adding that this will, in turn, help them increase their production.

He further stated that the idea of establishing a national tilapia-breeding centre in Muchinga Province is in line with the Government agenda of revamping the fisheries industry.

“This move is very welcome especially since we will soon be holding an Investment Forum and Expo in October this year and that breeding centre will be one of the merits scored of bringing investment into the province,” he said.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary also stressed that through the collaboration with China, Government will support the successful establishment of the breeding centre in various aspects.

Meanwhile, Guangdong Ocean University Director of International Relations Chen Jinjun said the University will continue engaging Kapasa Makasa University in various Fisheries programmes.

Mr Chen stated that the signing of the MoU with the institution signifies the good relationship that Zambia and China share in the development of the education sector.

He added that student exchange programmes with the University are also included in the MoU in a bid to enhance cultural exchange between them.

“We are happy to collaborate with Kapasa Makasa University in this venture and we further thank the Government of the Republic of Zambia for facilitating this collaboration, he said.

Guangdong Ocean University is one of China’s top learning institutions that offer courses in oceanography and maritime sciences.