Lusaka Apex Medical University has advertised for qualified lecturers after the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) withdrew approval certificates for some training programmes, Sunday.

HPCZ Registrar Dr Aaron Mujajati said the council could not allow the Apex and Cavendish universities to continue training doctors saying given their capacity, they could only produce assassins.

HPCZ also revealed that it would take legal action against the two institutions to demonstrate the gravity of the offenses.

And Apex University moved to advertise for several positions including dean of faculty and lecturers in order to meet HCPZ regulations.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Cavendish University said it was committed to following HCPZ regulations.

“Cavendish University Zambia would like to inform the general public that it is fully aware of HPCZ’s recent decision to withdraw the license for its School of Medicine Master of Public Health (MPH), Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (8C5) programmes. Cavendish University Zambia (CUZ) and all its faculties, conduct its university operations under the required code of ethics, the highest standards of quality assurance and in full compliance with legal, administrative and regulatory guidelines. CUZ is registered under the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013 of the Laws of Zambia. All It’s Faculties and programmes are accredited by Zambla’s Higher Education Authority and relevant professional regulatory bodies. Cavendish University is committed to following all the regulations of HPQ and HEA, and the laws of Zambia in order to continue providing all students with an excellent health sciences education in all programmes offered. The University is also committed to fulfilling its mission to transform its students into responsible, educated, employable and entrepreneurial citizens wrth values that include integrity and excellence. CUZ is currently maintaining discussions with HPZC to address the areas of concerns raised as soon as possible while normal university operations are maintained as planned. The Vice Chancellor and the Senate will keep all stakeholders informed about the on-going discussions between the UniverSIty and HPCZ. Anyone with further questions should contact the Vice Chancellor’s or Registrar,” read the statement.

And Canadian-based lawyer Elias Munshya advised affected students to sue the universities for negligence.

“It is an implied term of an educational contract that the college will employ teachers that are academically and professionally qualified. If a college fails to uphold its end of the bargain, it must be held liable. This institution is also potentially negligent and can be sued under the tort of negligence. It had a duty of care to the students to employ qualified teachers and ensure that its programs are registered with the regulatory bodies. Zambian law mustn’t just develop in the areas of constitutional and political law. It must also develop in contract and tort. Private actors who take money from consumers and then go on to deprive consumers of their goods and services must be held accountable. Where has Apex University been taking all the billions it has been raking in? How justifiable is it that it can’t employ full time professors? Dr. Mujajati and his team have done their part as regulators, it is now up to the students to do theirs and sue this institution. If you build a university and charge the population fees, you had better live up to the contract. If you can’t uphold your end of the contract, then don’t build a university,” stated Munshya.