Zambian delegation visits UP’s Centre for Internal Auditing Excellence

A delegation from the Institute of Internal Auditors Zambia (IIA-Zambia) visited the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Internal Auditing Excellence in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences’ Department of Auditing from 17 to 20 May 2017. The delegation consisted of Mr Mwenya Chitalu (Immediate Past-president: IIA-Zambia), Mr Moonga Mumba (Education and Training: IIA-Zambia) and Mr Lubinda Namiluko (Secretary: IIA-Zambia).

The IIA-Zambia is in the process of developing internal audit degree programmes for Zambian universities, based on a request from the Zambian Ministry of Finance (in association with the World Bank). As part of this project, the IIA-Zambia reached out to the University of Pretoria to learn more about the curricula, programme format and activities that make UP the only accredited Centre of Excellence in the Southern Hemisphere.

During their visit, the Zambian delegation met with Prof Johan Oberholster (the Faculty’s Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning), Prof Karin Barac (Head of the Department of Auditing), the Centre’s Advisory Board (consisting of internal audit practitioners) and lecturers and students in the programme. The Zambian delegation had an opportunity to attend one of the lectures conducted by Prof Kato Plant, where Mr Moonga Mumba was accorded a slot to share with the UP students on some topical issues in public procurement. According to Mr Rudrik du Bruyn (Senior Lecturer in Internal Auditing and Chairperson of the IIA-Global’s Academic Relations Committee - ARC), the academic internal audit fraternity is very excited about the developments in Zambia and in following the Global IIA’s motto of “progress through sharing”, both UP and the ARC look forward to supporting the IIA-Zambia with the project.

The Zambian delegation had the following comments after their visit:

"It was gratifying and inspiring to learn and note for replication and pursuit in Zambia how internal auditors, practitioners and academics are passionately involved in the internal audit curricula delivery. It was enlivening meeting mothers and fathers of UP's Centre of Excellence and as one of the IIA Zambia delegates I look forward to being a son mentored by UP and contribute to the fruition of internal audit curricula in Zambia." – Mwenya Chitalu

“Other than the warm hospitality of the UP team, I learnt a lot that will be taken to Zambia and it is my wish for the long term that UP develops an exchange programme for lecturers and students in the Zambian universities that will be groomed to be centres of excellence. Further, the UP visit has opened other dimensions that we shall implement in Zambia, such as establishing advisory boards that are composed of industry practitioners to keep the internal audit courses relevant as students pass through the production line prior to employment. I look forward to a time to infinity relationship between UP and IIA-Zambia.” – Moonga Mumba

“It was a unique privilege to have been part of the IIA Zambia team that visited UP. The friendliness, warmth and welcoming of the UP management and lecturing staff was second to none. The visit was packed from day 1 and very fruitful. It was interesting and enlightening to interact with IAEP Advisory Board, management, staff, and students of the programme. The final day included a visit to the Union Buildings, which was a good way of learning more about the history and culture of South Africa. I have no doubt that with the experience and knowledge acquired, our curriculum development project will accelerate in the right direction. I wish to pay special tribute to Mr Rudrik du Bruyn for all his time, effort and commitment to our programme.” – Lubinda Namiluko