Speech delivered by the Lesotho Prime Minister, H.E. The Right Honourable Mr Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, at the official opening of the Limkokwing campus in Maseru on 15 October 2008.

It is my singular honour and privilege to be with you here today to celebrate the launch of the Lesotho campus of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. This occasion is a product of several months of rigorous planning and preparations, which involved, amongst others, travel between Malaysia and Lesotho, and intractable negotiations. As it is, negotiations for a permanent site are still ongoing. Some of us were beginning to doubt that the institution would start operating in August this year, as promised.

It is therefore with a lot of joy and a sense of relief that I greet and welcome you on this special day that marks yet another milestone in the history of education in this country. Furthermore, it is to me a source of great pleasure to participate and indeed officiate at this important event. As a former teacher and educator, I am delighted to be part of this celebration.

We are gathered here today, not only to launch this new institution with its humble yet very spectacular temporary campus. More importantly, we are also opening a new and exciting chapter in the development and provision of higher education in our country.

As many of you will recall, the provision of education in Lesotho is characterised by a strong partnership between the Government and the churches, with the churches establishing and running the schools and the Government providing direction and financial support. Our erstwhile one and only university, the National University of Lesotho, also started as a church institution which was later taken over by the Government. Until now, the burden of providing tertiary education has always been the sole responsibility of the Government, a responsibility which we shall continue to undertake.

Bursaries for students

Over the years, the Government has provided opportunities for tertiary education for Basotho nationals at local, regional and international levels. Locally, we have provided such opportunities through institutions such as the Lesotho College of Education, the Lerotholi Polytechnic, the Lesotho Agricultural College, the National Health Training College, the Christian Health Association of Lesotho Institutions, the Centre for Accounting Studies, the Institute of Development Management, St. Elizabeth’s Training Institute, and of course, the National University of Lesotho. Altogether, over the past year, not less than 13,500 students were placed in these local institutions, whilst 1,677 students were awarded bursaries to study outside Lesotho, mainly in tertiary institutions in South Africa.

Apart from scholarships for students, the Government supports tertiary education through provision of subvention to government tertiary institutions. The Ministry of Education and Training has also sought technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat to address the problem of poor management at the National University of Lesotho, the Lesotho College of Education and the Lerotholi Polytechnic, and to make them more responsive to the national economic needs of Lesotho.

Furthermore, the Government has provided an enabling environment through the promulgation of the Higher Education Act. The Act provides for the regulation of higher education in Lesotho; the establishment, composition and functions of a Council for Higher Education; the governance and funding of public education institutions; the registration of higher education private institutions; quality assurance and quality promotion in higher education, and for incidental matters.

Recurring problems

Notwithstanding the Government financial commitments, the higher education sector continues to face many and recurring problems which include:

∙ Access
∙ Quality (pedagogy and curriculum) and relevance
  of programmes offered by tertiary institutions
∙ Total dependence on Government funding
∙ Poor management of institutions
∙ Inadequate infrastructure for teaching and
  learning as well as accommodation for students
∙ High staff turnover

However, we are progressing, albeit, too slowly for my personal satisfaction. The demands on the public purse do not give the Government the luxury to continue as the sole provider of all higher education opportunities in view of the ever-increasing demands for higher education and our commitments to other sectors, such as health, water, agriculture, infrastructure etc. Consequently, whilst carrying out its statutory obligation, the Government is also scouting for strategic partners to develop the higher education sector. We are seeking enhanced partnerships with private sector institutions such as Limkokwing and others.

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Lesotho, comes as a direct benefit of our membership of, and participation in the Smart Partnership Movement, which is an initiative of the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi. The CPTM encourages the establishment of partnerships with mutual benefits, at international, regional and national levels for the implementation of national development agendas.

The Government of Lesotho is mindful of the fact that the involvement of the private sector at both decision-making and implementation levels is a key factor in the development of a vibrant economy.

To this end, the Government is encouraging dialogue and partnerships with the private sector. A Business Council, representative of both the government and the private sectors, has been established to facilitate this process. In this regard, the construction of facilities to house the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare headquarters is a living example of this Public Private Partnership initiative.

Smart partnership movement

In the education sector, the Government of Lesotho, through its participation in the Smart Partnership Movement, requested Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, which is a private institution, to establish a university campus in Lesotho. As a private entity, Limkokwing Lesotho does not receive any subvention from the Government, unlike our other institutions. The Government only pays fees for students in this institution. Moreover, because this is a smart partnership between the Government and Limkokwing, we have not hesitated to avail to Limkokwing some of the Government’s own infrastructure temporarily to facilitate an early start of operations. This is yet another viable partnership between the Government and the private sector.

As a nation, Basotho have set themselves development frameworks such as the Lesotho Vision 2020, the Education Sector Strategic Plan 2005-2015, the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and others. Lesotho is also a signatory to various bilateral and multilateral agreements with regional and international organizations, of which she is a member. These agreements include commitments which have a focus on development of the human resource capacity of our country. The establishment of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Lesotho is viewed in this context.

Undoubtedly, there are many advantages of sponsoring students in a local private centre of excellence such as Limkokwing.

Employment for Basotho

Firstly, it provides 21st-century skills required for economic growth and also for competitiveness of our people globally;

Secondly, it provides a socially conducive and familiar environment since the students will be studying in their home country;

Thirdly, it provides the most needed employment for Basotho i.e. in construction of facilities, in academic and non-academic offices, in catering for lecturers and students, in maintenance and cleaning of facilities, etc and;

Lastly, we are making significant savings that can be used to finance other developments in the country.

We are gathered here with great anticipation for the construction of facilities to house this new institution that will so much transform the education landscape of Lesotho and, indeed, the lives of Basotho, young and old. The need for an additional university is long overdue in view of the number of students who cannot be accommodated in the one university that we have and the few other tertiary institutions. It has only been because of financial constraints that it has taken so long for this need to be met. You can imagine our bliss when our Smart Partner from Malaysia agreed to establish this institution we are gladly launching today.

Invaluable contribution

Today’s ceremony, therefore, affords us the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dató Dr Lim Kok Wing, who is unable to be with us here because of ill- health. All Basotho are indebted to him for this unique institution which is an invaluable contribution to our education system. We do realize the painful labour he and his team had to go through for this institution to be born and we thank him for his endurance, his patience and his determination.

On our part as the Government, and to indicate our commitment to the success of this institution, funds were immediately allocated to the National Manpower Development Secretariat for the support of students in this university.

For the first time in the history of our education system, we are now part of an information and communications technology global classroom. I am very glad to learn that students at this university can access learning resources virtually across the Limkokwing campuses on the three continents of Africa, Europe and Asia.

The most important resource this country has in abundance is its people, Basotho children. It is only through relevant education that we can ensure that this human resource is nurtured and prepared for developing our country. An appropriately educated nation will present our country as a magnet for investors. Information and communications technology companies will, for example, find it easier to set up assembly plants in Lesotho if we are able to prove that this University has churned out enough skilled technologists.

Another aspect is the creativity and innovation which is contained in the courses the university offers. Lesotho has a lot of talent which remains untapped and unrecognized. It is my view that these courses will unlock this potential and lead to the growth of a vibrant small and medium enterprise industry that will expand employment opportunities and uplift the living standards of many Basotho. In particular, I challenge this University to produce creators of employment, and NOT seekers of employment.

Source of motivation

Furthermore, it is our hope that this new institution, with its novel approaches to teaching and learning, will not only be a source of motivation for its students and staff but will also have a positive influence on other tertiary institutions which have hitherto maintained conventional methods. I am sure many of you will agree that without competition, standards in most of our institutions have become lax. This is a luxury we can no longer afford, in view of the high cost of higher education. We must expect high returns; we must get value for money.

For a long time, we have wanted to shake up the higher education system of our country. It is our firm belief that the establishment of this institution is seen as a catalyst that will enable us to achieve this objective. Indeed, Lesotho will never be the same again.

Like all new innovations, the establishment of this University has also attracted doubting Thomases and critics of the Government. We have listened and taken into account the concerns raised.
This, in my view, is a sign that we are doing something right for Lesotho.

At this juncture, I would like to pay tribute to the core team of the Lesotho Smart Partnership Hub who, together with their Malaysian counterparts, have worked diligently over the past several months to bring this new institution to reality. Ladies and Gentlemen, we thank you. You deserve a pat on the shoulder.

Pioneering teaching staff

Allow me also to address the pioneers of this university, the class of 2008. Never before have I seen young enthusiastic people who clearly have a bright future written all over their faces, I wish I could take your place in this wonderful institution. Actually, I would welcome volunteers to take my place at the State House. On a more serious note, I challenge you to give this university the right profile and image in the eyes of your people and internationally. Ride this tide and let it project you into a bright future.

To the pioneering teaching and administrative staff, what a joy it is to work in such a high-tech environment!! This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I sincerely hope that you and the students will use this opportunity to the fullest and prove our critics wrong. You must live up to the high expectations of this university – we are watching you. In fact, your sister campuses in the three continents are also watching you. Please don’t let us down. Above everything, please take good care of these facilities and equipment and preserve them for future generations. By the same token, please take good care of yourselves, of your lives, and of each other.

Words alone are not enough to adequately express our gratitude to this man, who is a foreigner but a friend in deed, who found it befitting to grace our country with a unique university of quality standard. Today we will also be internationally recognised because of this university.

I am very disappointed that there have been some riots and disturbances which were meant to derail efforts and processes towards the establishment of this university, as if we were incurring any expenses for its opening and its administration. But I have come to realize that Basotho are very envious people, who are intent to destroy anything that is not their initiative, regardless of how beneficial it is.

I hope you will recall that they did the same about the US$362.2 million from America, by mounting protest marches through which they were requesting that the money should be sent back! However, false statements cannot stand the test of time while truth is victorious and everlasting. This university too will grow and be successful, and Basotho will be able to hold their heads high and compete successfully in technology internationally.

To the students, lectures and other staff members, you are very fortunate to be pioneers of this unique university. I congratulate you and wish you success in your endeavours. But remember that as you are pioneers, the expectation is that you will set a good example by upholding the good name of the university. In addition, protect and jealously guard university property for future generations.

We, together with your colleagues from other similar universities, are keeping an eye on you. We request that you be trustworthy and do not disappoint us; leave politics outside the premises of this university, and do not allow yourselves to be divided and be used by those who want to achieve their ill-intended goals.

As for you students, be mindful of the fact that we as parents, love you. That is why we do everything in our power to secure a bright future for you. I trust that we can advise you on the many challenges that you are going to encounter in life. Above all, take care of yourselves; respect yourselves and do not abuse your youth.

In conclusion, allow me once again to reiterate our most sincere words of gratitude and congratulations to the president of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato Dr Lim Kok Wing, for his acceptance to establish a new campus in Lesotho and for the important role he has played in ensuring that this project finally takes off as it does today. Our thanks also go to everyone who has contributed in one way or another towards the success of this event. To one and all we say thank you for upholding the spirit of our motto, “Ha ho tatoe! Ho ileng ke nako!”

We eagerly await, and look forward to, the timely completion of this project for the benefit of all our people and the technological development of Lesotho.

It is now my distinct honour and privilege to declare the Lesotho campus of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology officially opened and its website officially launched.

Like a poet, we can joyfully shout and say:
“We are happy now
Something good has come up
The Lord has remembered us
He has truly loved us.”

Peace! Rain! Prosperity!