Luanda - At least 45,000 new students were admitted in different units of higher education in the country in 2012, announced Monday in Luanda the minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Maria Cândida Teixeira.

The Government minister said this Monday at the opening of the Conference of Higher Education, during which she emphasized that currently there are about 195,000 students in higher education in the country.

The referred figure, she stressed, represents an increase of about one-third, representing over one third of the goals set by the Government.

According to the official, the investment made by the Executive at the level of infrastructures of higher education in the country, with a view to greater absorption of the student population, accounted for the increase.

The minister recognised, on the other hand, the efforts made by the partners of private sector which have been contributing to the expansion and improvement of higher education in Angola.

After acknowledging the need for more qualified teaching staff, the minister also called for much investment in the sector.

Attended the meeting, slated to close Wednesday, MPs, principals of various universities, diplomats, academicians, students, among others.