July 2014

Livingstone International University  Graduates First Class

In 1999, Patrick Kalifungwa had a dream that one day he would give birth to a university. His dream was postponed as he was called to enter politics and serve as the Republic of Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources. Dr. Kalifungwa’s years as Minister motivated him further following which he completed his doctorate degree at Glamorgan University in the United Kingdom. He returned to Zambia and in June 2009 he launched Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM), the first university in Zambia to offer degrees at the undergraduate and post graduate level in Tourism and Hospitality Management.  

This past month, LIUTEBM graduated its first class. After fifteen years, Dr. Patrick Kalifungwa experienced the realization of his dream – and the benefits it has provided to some 170 joyful and thankful graduates in various degree programs including Travel & Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Business Management, Communications, and Law.

LIUTEBM was born with the vision of being the premier centre of educational excellence for the travel and tourism industry and allied services in Africa – delivering a world class education with an ethic of excellence and integrity that places students first. LIUTEBM currently has a student population of more than 800 students in six schools. In less than four years, it has added 170 well educated graduates to the human resources of Zambian society as a major milestone towards achieving its vision.

In his commencement address to the graduates, Dr. Kalifungwa stated, “To be of value, education must be inspired by noble, selfless sentiments, mixed with high ethical values and a sense of justice that are rooted in fair and well-informed ideas.  When one has this, one will start to appreciate and place a high value on a sense of personal dignity, honour, and duty that form the main foundation enabling people to acquire the right attitude towards others and to use their knowledge for the benefit of others.”

In less than four short years, LIUTEBM has been acknowledged for excellence with both the Gold Category (2012) and Platinum Category (2013) international star for leadership and quality by the Business Initiative Direction in Paris, France; the Inspirational Business Leadership Award (2013); and International Socrates Award (2013) given to Dr. Kalifungwa for  his leadership and for linking Zambia to global educational institutions such as the UNWTO Knowledge Network and Association of Asian Universities.

LIUTEBM will continue to grow as a major global institution with outstanding academic staff supported by smart learning tools and state of the art teaching and lecturing methods, and with plans for its own modern university campus in both Lusaka and Livingstone providing on campus education, distance learning, research and development and consultancy services.

LIUTEBM is an Associate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Knowledge Network of the UNWTO Scientific Committee. It has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom; is a member of  the Association of African Universities and Private Universities Association of Zambia; and has established partnering relationships with some fifteen universities in Africa and Asia and serves as the home for IIPT’s Consortium of Collaborating Univesities (IIPT-CCU).

IIPT Founder and President Awarded
Honorary Doctorate Degree

Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM) has awarded IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’ Amore with an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration.

Speaking during the presentation of the Honorary Degree to Dr. D’ Amore, LIUTEBM Vice Chancellor Dr. Patrick Kalifungwa said that LIUTEBM decided to recognize Dr. D’Amore following his contri­bution to the field of Tourism through his personal effort as the Founding President of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism.

Copperbelt University Chancellor, Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi presented the Honorary Doctorate on behalf of LUITBEM stating “I do hereby declare that by virtue of the power vested in me, after being satisfied with the justification and credentials of the great honor being bestowed on Louis John D’ Amore, I do hereby accept and admit him as the first graduate of LIUTEBM University and confer him with the Doctorate of Business Administration,”

Dr. Kalifungwa said he has known Dr. D’ Amore for many years beginning with his role as then President of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) through its late Executive Director Mira Berman.  “I have worked with Louis since then in my capacity as Zambia Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources in the organization of the Third IIPT African Conference as well as the Fifth IIPT African Conference, both held in Zambia, and most recently we co-edited a world renowned book on “Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism: Case Studies of Best Practice.”

In his address conferring the award, Professor Mwanalushi stated, “Louis has been a pioneer in promoting a social and environmental ethic within the travel and tourism industry since the mid-1970’s when social and environmental dimensions of tourism were introduced for the first time in his ground breaking study on the future of tourism. As President of IIPT, he introduced the concept of sustainable tourism development at the “First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace” held in Vancouver 1988 – 4 years prior to the U.N. Rio Summit on Environment and Development.”

Professor Mwanalushi continued “In recognition of his many ground-breaking achievements and the inspiration he has been to the tourism industry, Mr. D’Amore has received several honors and awards. He quoted Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP), who presented Dr. D’Amore with the ICTP Visionary Award, “I have known Louis for 30 years. He is a true visionary and works tirelessly to spread his vision around the world for peace through tourism.’”

Professor Mwanalushi went on to quote Dr. Kalifungwa, Vice Chancellor of LIUTEBM in announcing Dr. D’Amore’s appointment as Chancellor of LIUTEBM “Louis is an outstanding World personality, with international reputation and character befitting the appointment. He has contributed immensely to sustainable tourism development in Africa and other regions of the world and is a World renowned Ambassador for Peace through Tourism. He brings with him tremendous experience to the University of LIUTEBM, which will bring about more exposure, collaboration, and linkages with other Universities in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe.”

“Clearly, no one is more deserving of the honour to be bestowed on Louis today than he is. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to present to you Mr. Louis John D’Amore, an international intellectual resource and citizen of the world, for the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Business Administration of the Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management.”

LIUTEBM Commencement Address of
Dr. Louis D’Amore, Chancellor

IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore was most honored to give the Chancellor Address at the first graduation ceremony of Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management. Excerpts from his address follow:

Congratulations on being the first graduates of Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM).  What an honor to be the very first graduates from the first university in Zambia to offer Tourism and Hospitality Management degrees at both the under graduate and graduate levels. Each of you, together with the Administrative and Academic leaders of LIUTEBM – are truly pioneers with much to be proud of.

Your years here at LIUTEBM have provided you with a high quality of both theoretical and practical education that has prepared you to make a significant contribution to the future socio-economic development of Zambia – a country endowed with an abundance of world renown natural resources and attractions including one of the seven natural wonders of the world and UNESCO world heritage site – Victoria Falls – “the smoke that thunders” - a country of smiling, happy, hospitable and welcoming people – rich in culture and a collective love for your country – a country with a promising future – a future that you will help to create. The opportunities before you are unlimited.

Today is your commencement day - the beginning for your new life. It is where you go from here that matters. Whatever career choices you make - whatever you do – do it because you are passionate about it – and because you believe in its importance. What can you create of value for yourself – for your community – for Zambia – for Africa? 

You will have challenges along the way – you will not succeed in every initiative you undertake – mistakes will be part of the journey – but these challenges will be your greatest teacher in life. Remain confident and optimistic – and learn from your mistakes – learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others – you will be stronger - wiser - and more loving with each life lesson.

You have just completed the most important investment you can make for yourself – an investment in your education. Continue receiving a return on this investment by committing today to never stop learning. Feed your mind with good books and literature – books on positive thinking – leadership – the latest trends in your chosen field – they will teach you that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

But knowledge is not enough - it is what you do with your knowledge that counts. Choose to think positive thoughts – to speak positive words and ideas and to act in positive ways. Build trust in your relationships – and trust in yourself so that you will learn to be bold - for this will affect the expectations you hold in your mind and your heart – and the outcomes you will experience in life.

Have an attitude of gratitude and give back. Your life will be ever changing - dynamic and full of possibility. You are free to choose your own way knowing that you will grow toward whatever truth and whatever goal you hold in your mind. Give thanks to the people who have made a difference in your life – people who have loved and supported you on your life journey – your fellow students – professors – friends – and particularly your family.

Be enthusiastic and passionate about life – and be thankful for the people who share your journey. Strive to bring about the best in yourself – and the best in others – and you will have a successful and prosperous life that you and your family can be proud of.

As you begin to achieve successes along your journey of life – you too might discover - as did Mahatma Gandhi - the great and curious truth about the human experience is that “life finds meaning in service to others.”

I would like to close by paying tribute to award winning poet and author; television, film and stage director; teacher, civil rights activist; and actress - Maya Angelou –who recently passed. She will long be remembered at the United Nations and by people throughout the world for her insightful poem, “A Brave and Startling Truth” narrated at the United Nations on the occasion of its 50th anniversary - and her tribute to Nelson Mandela on his passing – her poem – “His Day is Done” - stirred the hearts of millions throughout all of Africa and throughout the world.

Dr. Angelou - whose poems and books have inspired millions of persons has been quoted as saying: “my mission in life is not merely  to survive – but to thrive – and to do so with some passion - some compassion – some humor – and some style.

Congratulations – good luck – go forth and make for yourselves extraordinary lives. Thank you for your attention – and may God bless each of you – your parents and families – LIUTEBM and the great country of Zambia.