06/11/2025
𝐏𝐓𝐂 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐎𝟑 𝐏𝐋𝐔𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐔𝐌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.
What an incredible two days of learning, legacy, and collaboration at the UNESCO O3 Plus Project Research & Knowledge Exchange Symposium held at the University of Zambia!
The Post Test Club was honoured to be represented at this landmark event, by the Club President, Mr. Joshua Jilanda, who delivered the Supporting Remarks during the opening session on behalf of students across higher education institutions in Zambia. In his remarks he stated that " The O3 Plus is proof that when young people are empowered, they don't just participate, they create, they sustain and they lead.
The Club was greatly honoured to have the President invited by UNESCO and the O3 PLUS initiative to speak alongside such distinguished leaders, including:
Mrs. Alice Mwewa Saili (UNESCO Zambia National Team Leader), who also happens to be the original founder of the Post Test Club at UNZA some 20 years ago!
Prof. Mundia Muya (Vice-Chancellor, UNZA)
Hon. Douglas Syakalima (Minister of Education-Zambia)
Prof. Choolwe Jacobs Nkwemu (SRH Expert, Zambia) among other distinguished speakers.
We are especially proud to note that the Post Test Club stands as a living legacy of Phase One of the O3 PLUS Project, continuing to drive student engagement and leadership in areas of HIV awareness, testing, and holistic wellness.
A key highlight of the symposium was the official launch of the UNESCO UNITWIN Network: Transforming Lives, Shaping Futures, that will unite 16 institutions to collaborate and innovate for student well-being, officiated by the Guest of Honour, Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education.
The symposium also featured researchers from Zambia and Zimbabwe, who presented research findings gathered through the O3 PLUS project. Among the many presentations made by UNZA was one titled:
“Increasing HIV Testing Coverage through Door-to-Door Based HIV Testing and Counselling in Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions in Zambia.”
This presentation was delivered by Dr. A. Mutalanshi, the University of Zambia Health Services Medical Officer, and Ms. Priscilla Chifwalo, Acting Public Health Coordinator. Their research reaffirmed the ongoing commitment to promoting accessible, stigma-free HIV testing among students.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to UNESCO, the Unesco 'Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future' initiative, The University of Zambia -UNZA, and all collaborating partners for creating this powerful platform for knowledge exchange and student engagement. Together, we continue to build a healthier, informed, and empowered student community.
