Awarding Ceremony of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY 2023 to Professor Stephen Simukanga

On 17^th October 2023, H.E. Mr. TAKEUCHI Kazuyuki, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, hosted at his Residence an Awarding Ceremony of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY2023 upon Professor Stephen Simukanga, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zambia (UNZA), current Director-General of the Higher Education Authority.
 
At the Ceremony, Mr. William Nyondo, Director of Planning of the Ministry of Education, read a message of Honourable Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education, on his behalf. Other distinguished guests from the education field, including Professor Annie Sikwebele, Acting Vice Chancellor of UNZA, as well as family members and longtime friends of Professor Simukanga gathered to celebrate.
 
From 2007 to 2015, during his tenure as UNZA Vice Chancellor, Professor Simukanga forged a basis and framework to promote strong and intensive cooperation between UNZA and Hokkaido University, particularly in the field of veterinary medicine. He also contributed to the establishment of the first ever liaison office of a Japanese university in the Sub-Saharan region, the Hokkaido University Africa Office in Lusaka, which now provides information and assistance to motivated students both from Zambia and the other countries in the region to study in various Japanese universities. He also supported opening of Japanese language extension courses at UNZA, as well as development of Japanese language courses in the Bachelor’s curriculum.
 
With all these achievements, Professor Simukanga contributed to deepening mutual understanding between Japan and Zambia, and thereby promoted international cooperation and friendly relations.
 
To read the speech by Ambassador Takeuchi at the Ceremony, please click here.