Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Nkandu Luo
Higher Education Minister, Professor Nkandu Luo has clarified that the Intangible cultural Heritage degree program to be offered by the University of Zambia will not encompass anything of witchcraft nature contrary to reports by a named media institution and on social media.
Delivering a ministerial statement to clarify what she has termed as media misrepresentation of the intangible culture heritage degree, Professor Luo stated that no Zambian university or college is and will offer programs of witchcraft nature by virtue of Zambia being a Christian nation.
She explained that the intangible cultural heritage is manifested through various ways such as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and traditional craftsmanship.
Professor Luo is hopeful that Zambians will appreciate the efforts of UNESCO in promoting cultural heritage both tangible and intangible by putting in a total of 340, 000 united states dollars to support the degree program.
She has cautioned the media against unethical and irresponsible reporting on science related matters.
The Minister says there is need for the media to invest in education of its reporters for certain areas of reportage so that they can report from an informed point of view, stating that her ministry will stand ready to offer bursaries to journalists intending to take up the study of science as a way of improving on their reportage regarding issues to do with science.