Higher Education Authority ZM: HEA ZITF 2026 Stakeholder Engagement

• HEA made a significant presence at the 60th ZITF in Ndola, with its Director-General leading the team.
• The National Graduate Survey was showcased as a tool for bridging the gap between higher education and the labour market.
• HEA's emphasis on stakeholder engagement and quality assurance may have implications for accreditation processes of Zambian institutions.
• The Authority is committed to ensuring that quality higher education is aligned with labour market demands through direct engagement with stakeholders.

At the heart of HEA's exhibition was the National Graduate Survey, a tool for gathering national evidence on graduate outcomes, employability, and skills relevance.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) made a significant presence at the 60th Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola, with its Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, leading the team. The HEA stand was located under the Ministry of Education's umbrella, alongside other institutions and departments. This year's ZITF theme, 'Bridging Markets, Building the Future,' resonated with HEA's work on quality higher education. At the heart of HEA's exhibition was the National Graduate Survey, a tool for gathering national evidence on graduate outcomes, employability, and skills relevance. The survey aimed to bridge the gap between higher education and the labour market by providing insights into what Zambia's economy needs from its graduates.

HEA's emphasis on stakeholder engagement and quality assurance may have implications for the accreditation process of Zambian institutions. The Authority's focus on direct engagement with stakeholders, including higher education institutions, partners, students, parents, media houses, and members of the public, underscores its commitment to ensuring that quality higher education is aligned with labour market demands. This approach may require institutions to reassess their accreditation processes, taking into account the need for evidence-based standards, digital transformation, research, innovation, and direct engagement with stakeholders. HEA's interpretation of quality higher education is built on a foundation of standards, accreditation, and direct stakeholder engagement.

HEA's stakeholder engagement at ZITF demonstrates its commitment to fulfilling its mandate by bridging the gap between higher education and the labour market. The National Graduate Survey is a key tool in this effort, providing valuable insights into graduate outcomes, employability, and skills relevance. By engaging with stakeholders directly, HEA aims to ensure that quality higher education is positioned to support Zambia's future. This approach has significant implications for institutions seeking accreditation, as they must demonstrate their ability to meet labour market demands through evidence-based standards, digital transformation, research, innovation, and direct stakeholder engagement.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that HEA's emphasis on stakeholder engagement and quality assurance may have implications for the accreditation process of Zambian institutions, particularly with regards to meeting labour market demands.

Source: Original reporting via HEA ZITF 2026 stakeholder engagement