LUSAKA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank (WB) has given Zambia's biggest university funds to establish a zoonotic research laboratory aimed at promoting the study of zoonosis, a university official said on Monday.
The WB has given the University of Zambia (UNZA) 6 million U.S. dollars for establishing the laboratory, Luke Mumba, vice-chancellor of UNZA, said when visiting Zambia's Ambassador to Japan Ndiyoyi Mutiti.
He said the laboratory was expected to become an excellent center in the southern African region for the study of zoonosis, which has become increasingly important due to the rapid growth of world population and intensive animal husbandry.
He said the university's infrastructure as well as staff were undergoing reforms so as to become relevant to new developments in various fields.
"We need to set the tone for development of science and technical skills in the country. This means our teaching staff must at all times be exposed to new developments in the field so that they can pass on appropriate skills to students," he said.
Mumba also highlighted the significance of exposing the university's infrastructure and staff to the international community of research so that they can advance in a changing technological environment.
The Zambian envoy commended the university for embarking on collaborative programs with other institutions of higher learning in various parts of the world.
