zambia commits to continue supporting the economics department and research programmes at unza and hopes that the university will live up to its obligations under the framework of cooperation to be signed today. we challenge the economics department at unza through the vice chancellor to scale up its research activities in issues of interest to the bank and the zambian economy in general. for this is what this mou entails. we also call upon other industry players in the financial sector to emulate our noble contribution in building human capital and research capacities at this important institution. this is important to ensure that our financial sector operates at the cutting edge of knowledge and innovation. i have no doubt therefore, that such investment will yield returns in the long run as knowledge is a secure investment. i thank you for your attention.

caleb m fundanga : framework of cooperation between the bank of zambia and the university of zambia opening remarks by mr caleb m fundanga, governor of the bank of zambia, at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between the bank of zambia and the university of zambia, lusaka, 30 june 2010. * * * the vice chancellor, university of zambia – prof. stephen simukanga the deputy governor – administration and university council chairperson – dr tukiya kankasa - mabula distinguished professors and lecturers from unza colleagues from the bank members of the press distinguished ladies and gentlemen ; it gives me great delight, on behalf of the bank of zambia, to welcome you all to this important signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between the bank of zambia and the university of zambia. the mou that we are about to sign today provides a framework for the support to the economics department and research activities in the department. ladies and gentlemen ; the bank of zambia continues to view the university of zambia and the copperbelt university as strategic partners in the economic development of zambia. it is for this reason that the bank has for several years now been involved in the support of various capacity building programmes at the two tertiary learning institutions. this support has taken various forms, including the following : salary supplementation to fifteen ( 15 ) academic staff in the department of economics at unza and nineteen ( 19 ) academic staff in the school of business at the copperbelt university ( cbu ) ; full sponsorship of five undergraduate students at third and fourth year level at cbu and five students at masters degree level at unza ; financial support in the acquisition of books and periodicals ; purchase of equipment such as computers and computer software. the bank of zambia acknowledges the various efforts being made by the university to improve its infrastructure and the delivery of quality university education and research. we are also mindful of the various funding constraints faced by the university as it expands its programmes to meet the ever increasing demand for its services. the bank is therefore, proud to respond to the university ’ s call for partnership with industry and other stakeholders in order to realise its noble objectives that cannot presently be fully funded from public resources and students fees. in this regard, the bank of zambia has seen it fit to not only extend this support, but to also streamline and enhance it in order to better align this support with strategic objectives of both the bank and the university. ladies and gentlemen ; as you are aware, the bank of zambia has been providing