University Extension Education in Zambia: increasing Opportunities for Human Resource Training and Development

Abstract

This paper conceptualises the remarkable ability of University extension to increase opportunities for human resource training and development. This was a desk research and reviewed works that have published on this subject. By definition, university extension education refers to the delivery of university knowledge and ways of thought to people away from the premises of the University. Human resource training and development, on the other hand, is a process of providing knowledge and skills to individual’s particularly those in employment. It offers both short term and long term preparation of individuals subjected to it. The rationale for human resource training and development is premised on the fact that knowledge and skills are dynamic. Therefore, individuals require to be in constant touch with the reality.  Based on the literature reviewed, the benefits of University extension education cannot be over-emphasized. It creates training opportunities for different people who may not manage to attend university education on full-time basis for some reasons.  The increased opportunities include programme offerings in various certificate and diploma programmes. These programmes have provided a further training opportunity at a higher level. The people who have obtained qualifications through this mode of study have advanced to a degree either at the University of Zambia or other up-coming universities within the country. Essentially, some of the graduates from extension education have been the main clientele for the degree programmes of the up-coming universities in the country. The demand for university extension education has, however, increased due to the growing benefits witnessed by the Zambian society. From the findings the participants have experienced attitude change, increased employment and business opportunities, job promotion, better management of their affairs and career progression. It has continued to address the various socio-economic and political concerns of the Zambian society.  This paper conceptualises the remarkable ability of University extension to increase opportunities for human resource training and development. This was a desk research and reviewed works that have published on this subject. By definition, university extension education refers to the delivery of university knowledge and ways of thought to people away from the premises of the University. Human resource training and development, on the other hand, is a process of providing knowledge and skills to individual’s particularly those in employment. It offers both short term and long term preparation of individuals subjected to it. The rationale for human resource training and development is premised on the fact that knowledge and skills are dynamic. Therefore, individuals require to be in constant touch with the reality.  Based on the literature reviewed, the benefits of University extension education cannot be over-emphasized. It creates training opportunities for different people who may not manage to attend university education on full-time basis for some reasons.  The increased opportunities include programme offerings in various certificate and diploma programmes. These programmes have provided a further training opportunity at a higher level. The people who have obtained qualifications through this mode of study have advanced to a degree either at the University of Zambia or other up-coming universities within the country. Essentially, some of the graduates from extension education have been the main clientele for the degree programmes of the up-coming universities in the country. The demand for university extension education has, however, increased due to the growing benefits witnessed by the Zambian society. From the findings the participants have experienced attitude change, increased employment and business opportunities, job promotion, better management of their affairs and career progression. It has continued to address the various socio-economic and political concerns of the Zambian society.