One of My Great Experiences in Life: The Journey of Eng. Vernon Ngulube from Zambia
Eng. Vernon Ngulube a male Zambian citizen aged 39 years old and a Civil Engineer by profession, embarked on a life-changing journey in 2016 when he enrolled for the Integrated Water Resources Management programme at Galilee International Management Institute in Israel. This experience marked a turning point in his professional life, equipping him with valuable skills and knowledge that have had a lasting impact on his career trajectory.
Fellow of the Engineering Institution of Zambia
Paving the Road Ahead
Before training with GIMI in 2016, Eng. Ngulube's achievements were already numerous and impactful. Several significant milestones in his career include training more than 200 officers to restore non-functional water points, coordinating the formulation of the Water and Sanitation Policy, managing a successful DANIDA-funded water project, and leading the Chienge District to become the first open defecation-free district in the region. His work has been recognized by UNICEF and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), showcasing his contributions to water access, sanitation, and community health in his country of Zambia.
Explaining project details to the then President of the Republic of
Zambia Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu for the UB Market, Water Supply and
Sanitation projects in Luapula Province; 2016
Learning From Israel’s Experience
Eng. Ngulube's time at GIMI was a unique blend of theoretical learning and hands-on experience. He marvels at how the programme seamlessly incorporated technical field trips, exposing participants to the water resources management infrastructure in Israel.
Eng. Ngulube Vernon at GIMI, Israel; 2016
Reflecting on his time at GIMI, Eng. Ngulube emphasized the importance of practical hands-on learning alongside expert guidance, allowing him to learn more about rainwater harvesting, and innovative, energy-saving reservoir storage solutions.
"I liked the way the programme was structured...with a team full of professionals and experts in all aspects of the course," he enthused.
Technical Site visit- Drip Irrigation farming (oranges & pineapples) in Jericho
“It was impressive and inspiring to see the evolution of water technology for abstraction, treatment, transmission and distribution. I also learnt more about the treatment of waste, or grey water which is then supplied to the farmers for irrigation and how the underground and surface water resources are managed to avoid the fresh water from being salty.”
He was impressed by Israel’s policy of managing water as a resource and investing constantly in research and development (R&D) - and not only for water but in many other sectors too.
In addition to the professional experience, it was a blessed opportunity on a personal level to visit the Holy Land for the first time. It was an exciting and meaningful memory for him to cherish.
Tourism site visit to Jerusalem, Israel; 2016
Engineer as a Christian was also Baptised in River Jordan; 2016
Bridging Knowledge with Practice in Career Advancement
Returning to Zambia, Eng. Ngulube put his new-found insights immediately into practice. As the Provincial Principal Engineer for Luapula Province under the Ministry of Local Government at the time, his roles and responsibilities involved coordinating and supervising efficient planning and implementation of urban and rural water supply. In addition, he was responsible for sanitation infrastructure development and supervising the performance of Luapula Water and Sewerage Company, and all 11 Local Authorities in the province.
Conducting an assessment on the rehabilitation works for Mwense
District water supply abstraction intake point; 2017
GIMI's programme transformed his approach to planning and implementing water projects significantly, “The knowledge acquired and experience under this programme in Israel gave me a different view and understanding in planning and implementation of urban and rural water supply and sanitation infrastructure.”
Fast Forward to 2023
He has designed and managed projects such as market sanitation systems, island sanitation studies, water and bio-gas sanitation systems in Luapula province and was part of the technical team that developed the technical concept for the water supply and sanitation rehabilitation and expansion works being funded by the Africa Development Bank for Luapula Water and Sanitation Company.
Briefing the Japanese Ambassador to Zambia on the effectiveness of
boreholes equipped hand-pumps to the communities of Mansa District; 2015
Eng. Ngulube has taken on new challenges as the Manager of Monitoring and Evaluation for Road Projects at the National Road Fund Agency of Zambia. He coordinated the formulation of the road sector salvage strategy, road toll maintenance programme (RoToMaP) and was the lead coordinator for the training programmes for more than 250 engineers from local authorities across the 10 regions of Zambia.
Conducting Monitoring & Evaluation on selected road rehabilitation works; 2019
Checking levels on the rehabilitation & upgrading road works; 2021
Coordinating Capacity Building Training for Local Authority Engineers in
Contract management, material testing and road safety audits; 2022
Coordinating Capacity Building Training for Local Authority Engineers in
Contract management, material testing and road safety audits; 2023
He credits the skills acquired at GIMI with providing the edge he needed to excel in developing and reviewing project designs and environmental study reports. The strategic planning skills he cultivated have enabled him to review private-public partnership (PPP) proposals for roads, manage projects, and contribute to various initiatives. “The knowledge I acquired in strategic planning has given me the skills to help the Agency in strategic plans development and review, and also to take the initiative in partnering with academia in Research and Development (R&D) and in enhancing value for money on all road projects funded by Government and Cooperating Partners."
Eng. Ngulube briefing the visiting delegation from various African Countries
Road Funds (ARMFA) to Zambia on the road works funded by the NRFA; 2019
Conducting spot check of axle load control (Preventive maintenance) with
RDA on Great East Road; 2017
Navigating Challenges and Achieving Excellence
Eng. Ngulube's career advancement has not been without its challenges. He tackled funding limitations by producing visible results and effective communication. He tackled procurement pitfalls through meticulous contractor selection, “I made sure that engineers from the regional office and local authorities who understood the local conditions were involved in the procurement process so that we get the right contractors and consultants who can deliver the projects”.
Teamwork; Conducting Training for Local Authorities Engineers in partnership
with NRFA with the Ministry of Local Government and National Council for
Construction; 2021
The lack of teamwork and stakeholder management was lacking in most projects. Eng. Ngulube's emphasised, “I always ensured that teamwork and stakeholder engagement was my priority and enhanced because I knew that this was critical for the success of my projects. I engaged all the key stakeholders and informed them about the progress, challenges and made them feel involved and have a sense of ownership for the project, especially the local leadership and community members.” This method enabled him to defuse conflicts and foster project success.
Engaging the region/district engineers and contractors in contract management on site
Lastly, conflicts or disputes in project management, particularly in engineering, can cause delays which leads to cost escalation. Most engineering problems usually have more than one solution. His approach is inclusive: “I listen to all stakeholders, encourage open discussions, and weigh various solutions based on budget, quality, time, and scope to achieve project objectives.”
Looking to the Future
His recent accolades, including his distinction as a FELLOW of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (FEIZ) and his election as a member of the esteemed Institute of Directors of Zambia (IoD), highlight his unwavering commitment to attaining excellence through diligent effort.
We asked him what his plans are for the future, notably how he thinks he can influence his field of excellence in Zambia. With an eye towards the future, he envisions leveraging these roles to create a positive influence on Zambia's engineering and public relations landscape.
He urges future professionals to embrace local solutions, collaboration, and continuous learning, “It is inevitable, especially now with the ever-technological advancements, that we keep networking and transform from working HARD to working SMART to contribute to the growth of our Nation through local, home-made solutions.”
His message to aspiring managers is this: “All I can say is that the sky is the limit! I believe in hard work and teamwork and will continue engaging with others, knowledge acquisition and experience sharing with intuitions like GIMI.”
Eng. Ngulube's advice to those interested in pursuing careers in water management or infrastructure development resonates with his personal journey. He encourages individuals to consider GIMI's offerings, highlighting the institute's exceptional expertise and welcoming atmosphere.
“GIMI is the place to go for they have experienced hands-on experts to take you through the training and it’s a kibbutz (community), you feel treated as family.” He particularly enjoyed the personal and spiritual aspects of the journey to Israel: “You will have the lifetime experience to visit various places in the Bible: Nazareth, where Jesus was born; where he performed miracles in places like the Sea of Galilee, Mount of Transfiguration, and visit Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, to mention but a few”.
Eng. Vernon Ngulube's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, experience, and dedication. His journey from Zambia to GIMI and back is a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in water resources management and infrastructure development.
Eng. Ngulube's dedication to his field and his country exemplify the spirit of excellence that GIMI aims to cultivate in its students.
