Archbishop Banda graces ZCU graduation ceremony
Kalulushi – Amid cheers and pride-filled faces, the Zambia Catholic University (ZCU) held its 14th Graduation Ceremony on a note of reflection, purpose, and unity. The Guest of Honour, Archbishop Alick Banda, delivered an inspiring address to the graduates, urging them to view their education not as a destination, but as a starting point for meaningful collaboration and societal transformation.
“The Chancellor, I am honoured to celebrate with you this 14th Graduation Ceremony of our Zambia Catholic University. It is a moment of attainment, it is a time of gratitude, and it is an occasion to look forward to the future with hope,” Archbishop Banda said.
Addressing the graduates directly, he praised their resilience and determination: “Today, we celebrate not only your hard work, persistence and commitment, but we also applaud the support of your families, lecturers, mentors, and everyone who walked this journey with you.”
The Archbishop emphasized the significance of the theme: “Collaboration as a Strategy for Quality Education”, describing it as both “timely and prophetic.” He highlighted the need for collective action in tackling pressing global and national issues. “The more you collaborate, the more likely you will be focused in addressing communal challenges such as climate change, unemployment, and our toxic political landscape,” he stated.
In a society often focused on individual achievement, Archbishop Banda warned against isolating progress from communal responsibility. Citing Scripture, he reminded the graduates: “Two are better than one… If one falls, the other will lift up his companion” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).
He urged the graduates to remain rooted in service and solidarity: “Your education is not for personal success, but for the common good… proceed with bravery, but never by yourself.”
Quoting St. Bernard of Clairvaux, he concluded: “There are those who seek knowledge to serve; and that is love.”
As graduates step into an uncertain job market, Archbishop Banda’s message echoed a powerful reminder: success lies not in solitude, but in shared vision and communal strength.
ZCU Chancellor Most Rev. Ignatius Chama urged the graduands to be entrepreneurial and take responsibility of themselves in a changing landscape where jobs are not guaranteed.
“Use therefore, the skills given to you by the Zambia Catholic University just as you persevered during your years of study. The World out there is more ruthless than what you have been exposed to. Respond to the challenges. Be inspired to be different, make a difference,” Archbishop Chama who is also the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) said.
And Vice Chancellor Fr. Paul Simukanzye said graduates risk being irrelevant to society unless the dissemination of knowledge is responsive to the challenges of the time.
“Hence, in its teaching approach, the university has taken a student-mentor dynamic way of disseminating knowledge and carrying out research. This approach has been strengthened by the wonderful collaboration we are receiving from higher institutions of learning and industry,” Fr. Simukanzye said.