Empowering the Future

... Texila American University offers Full scholarships to Zambian Students Pursuing Healthcare Education to honors the Legacy of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia - (02-01-2025) - Texila American University (TAU) has announced the launch of the Kenneth David Kaunda (KK) Scholarship for the 2025 academic year.

This initiative aims to support Zambian students pursuing higher education in healthcare management and related fields, offering scholarships at 100%, 50%, and 25% levels. 

It presents a remarkable opportunity for Zambian students keen on pursuing a career in the Health Professionals Foundation Program (HPFP) at TAU.

According to Prof. Ajay Poddar, Vice Chancellor of Taxila American University, the scholarship was established in 2019 to honor the legacy of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia, who was a staunch advocate for accessible higher education.

 “This scholarship provides a chance for deserving students to contribute to Zambia’s healthcare and administrative development,” Prof. Poddar said.

Students can apply for two intake periods, in March and September, with deadlines on February 28, 2025, and August 28, 2025, respectively. 

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be Zambian nationals with a valid National Registration Card (NRC) and have completed the GCE A-Level or an equivalent qualification.

Prof. Poddar emphasized the university’s commitment to continuing Dr. Kaunda’s vision. 

“His dream was that every Zambian should have access to higher education, and Taxila American University is proud to carry this torch forward,” he said. 

He also highlighted the university’s partnership with the KK Foundation, which shares the same mission of overcoming financial barriers to education.

“This collaboration aims to expand the scholarship’s reach to help even more students in the future,” Prof. Poddar explained, adding that no student should be held back from higher education due to financial constraints.

TAU’s leadership is dedicated to contributing to Zambia’s educational growth in line with the government’s policies. 

The scholarship program is part of the university’s broader commitment to providing resources for students pursuing careers in healthcare.

The scholarship remains a cornerstone of the university’s efforts to contribute to Zambia’s educational landscape, honoring Dr. Kaunda’s enduring legacy. 

Prof. Poddar reassured attendees that the scholarship would remain a vital part of the university's future plans.

Dr. Balamurugan Easwaran, Deputy Vice Chancellor of TAU, encouraged students, especially those who have recently completed their GCE A-Level studies, to apply. 

He also urged the media to help raise awareness about the scholarship, ensuring that more students across Zambia can benefit from this opportunity.

With 150 slots available annually, Taxila American University encourages students to apply for this affordable, high-quality education and pursue a successful career in healthcare.

In addition to the launch of the Kenneth David Kaunda Scholarship, Taxila American University is also offering an affordable opportunity for aspiring medical students to pursue a career in medicine. 

Dr. Amit Singh, the Dean of the School of Medicine, emphasized the university’s commitment to providing world-class medical education at a fraction of the cost typically found in Europe, the USA, or Asia. 

The significantly subsidized tuition fees make the program accessible to a broader range of students.

"Our program is designed to be affordable and to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the medical profession," Dr. Singh said.

The university’s one-year Foundation Program, known as the Health Professionals Foundation Program (HPFP), covers essential subjects such as basic sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, alongside introductory courses in medicine. 

Upon completion of the HPFP, students can progress to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) program, which is a five-year course. 

The first two years of the MBChB program are focused on pre-clinical subjects, while the final three years involve clinical training at Zambia’s leading hospitals, including the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.

The university is also considering the introduction of a postgraduate program in medicine to further support medical professionals in Zambia.

Mr. Tilyenji Kaunda, representing the Kaunda family, expressed strong support for initiatives in education and healthcare during a recent event in Lusaka. 

Kaunda emphasized his family’s commitment to his late father’s legacy, underlining the importance of accessible education and quality healthcare for Zambia’s future.

"It is crucial to preserve the legacy of our family," Kaunda stated, referring to the legacy of his father, the late President Kenneth Kaunda. 

"At some point, all of us have been cared for by a doctor, so healthcare touches many lives."

The Kaunda family’s support for ongoing projects aimed at providing quality education and training medical professionals was also emphasized. 

Kaunda praised current efforts to make education more accessible and to produce well-trained doctors for the country.

"You’re addressing two key issues we hold dear: making education accessible and producing quality doctors," he said.

He also stressed the long-term vision behind these initiatives, noting that while the current generation may come and go, the work should continue through future generations.

"We are truly grateful for your vision in honoring the legacy and contributing to our country’s future," he concluded.

Kaunda expressed optimism for the future, particularly for students benefiting from these programs. 

"Let’s look forward to what we can achieve together as these students move forward," he remarked, emphasizing the importance of nurturing Zambia's future leaders in education and healthcare.

The Kaunda family remains committed to preserving the values of education and health, with hopes that these areas will continue to thrive for the benefit of future generations.

A new scholarship, named in honor of Zambia’s first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, was officially launched today, celebrating the enduring legacy of education, unity, and nation-building values.

The scholarship aims to empower future generations of Zambian leaders by providing financial support to deserving students pursuing higher education. 

The ceremony, held at the university, featured key stakeholders, including the founding family of the institution, academic leadership, faculty, staff, and media representatives.

A special acknowledgment was given to the founding family for allowing the scholarship to carry the name of Dr. Kaunda, a man widely revered for his vision in shaping Zambia’s educational and social landscape.

In her remarks, at the event Taxila American University Registrar Sugun S expressed heartfelt gratitude to the founding family for the honor of naming the scholarship after Dr. Kaunda. 

She emphasized that the scholarship serves as a tribute to his timeless commitment to education and his unwavering dedication to uniting the nation.

"This scholarship is a tribute to his legacy of education, unity, and nation-building values that continue to inspire us today," the speaker said.

The Vice Chancellor also received praise for their leadership and dedication, with the speaker noting that their guidance continues to shape the institution’s success. 

Faculty and staff were acknowledged for their invaluable contributions in bringing the institution’s mission to life.

The event also highlighted the significant role of the media in spreading the message of the scholarship and raising awareness among the wider community. 

She thanked media representatives for their commitment to sharing the story, emphasizing the power of communication in advancing educational initiatives.

The scholarship is expected to support numerous students, empowering them to achieve their academic goals and contribute to Zambia’s development. 

The event concluded with a call for collective commitment to empowering future generations through education, with attendees expressing their dedication to supporting this transformative initiative.