that private investors are now provided with incentives to invest in the area of education. this policy is expected to provide the much needed investments in institutions such as the zambia institute of banking and financial services. looking around in this gathering, i see people who are very well connected to private investors. therefore wooing investment into this institution should not be difficult task. such investment will go a long way in enhancing the quality of graduates this institution will produce. mr president, it is during times of crisis such as the one we are undergoing that graduates should assist the industry in coming up with well researched constructive proposals and solutions on how challenges may be addressed within the context of our local environment. the prevailing global financial meltdown is in fact an opportunity for the institute to critically review its core operations and determine if its flagship education and training programmes as well as other learning environment initiatives such as research, consultancy, counselling and continuous professional development activities are robust enough to adequately serve our financial services sector, both in times of buoyancy and during periods of turbulence. ladies and gentlemen, i am reliably informed that the institute is negotiating strategic alliances that will ensure high quality international standard flagship education and training programmes for professionals in zambia ’ s financial services industry. i am equally pleased to note that that the institute has direct representatio n on two working groups of the financial sector development plan ( fsdp ) – the banking working group and the human resource working group. i have no doubt the fsdp stands to benefit from more representation from the institute. i urge you mr president and council members, to engage all the stakeholders in the financial sector including, non - bank financial institutions, insurance companies, stock brokers and pension funds. i have no doubt that with increased support from other financial service providers and regulators, the institute will increase in stature in human resource capacity - building aimed at developing a critical mass of professionally qualified and competent bankers. to the graduates, the qualifications in banking and finance you are obtaining today will certainly not make you an instant expert to tackle challenges in the financial services sector. it will take hard work, determination, and a variety of continuing professional development programmes for you to be able to begin to understand in a comprehensive manner, the banking industry in its entirety. however as graduates from this special institution, each of you will be given a unique opportunity to prove yourself. i therefore, urge you to work hard and learn from others around you including those with different views from yours. let me also mention that

as graduates from the zambia institute of banking and financial services, your progress and performance will be closely monitored and you will be looked upon as role models. i urge you to set the standards for others to emulate. i am confident that all of you will live up to the highest standards and will not disappoint us. i once again congratulate you and your parents, for it is only through their guidance that you are able to achieve what you have today. i wish you all, especially those graduating and those witnessing the graduation of their loved ones, a joyful and wonderful day. thank you.