Meet the first female university leader in Zambia
What does it take to have a career trajectory marked by a number of firsts? I interviewed the first female university Vice-Chancellor in Zambia, Ruth Mubanga, about her leadership journey.
From the first female biology lecturer to the first female chancellor, and many more firsts in between! How does it feel to be a pacesetter in education?
“Honestly, it has been a challenging yet exciting experience. As the first female science Lecturer at the Nkrumah College, there was no one to look up to. I was the pioneer so both students and teachers looked up to me as a role model.
As a principal, there was a lot of resistance from people who did not think I could deliver in my position or were qualified enough. For me, that meant working extra hard to show people I have the qualities and capacities to deliver in my position.
A leader should exude confidence, be innovative and can embrace failures, and manage setbacks. Above all, a leader should be empathetic because you work with people so they need to know you can be understanding in certain situations, yet firm."
