Maravi

UNZA School of Mines notes rise in enrolment

UNZA School of Mines notes rise in enrolment
By Kabanda Chulu
Friday October 10, 2008 [04:00]

UNIVERSITY of Zambia School of Mines has recorded an increase in student enrolment following the introduction of scholarships by mining companies and increased production in the mining sector.

And Lumwana Mines corporate affairs director Nathan Chishimba has said the company has embarked on capacity building through scholarships and provision of latest equipment in order to prepare students to suit the current demands in the industry.

During the handover of integrated mining software from South Africa by Lumwana Mining Company on Wednesday, Dean of the School of Mines Dr Stephen Kambani said for the past 10 years, the school had recorded declines in student enrolments.

“But we have seen a tremendous increase due to a combination of two factors; firstly the mining sector has regained from its recession hence making mining careers to be interesting and also the scholarships being offered by the companies especially Lumwana, which currently has offered 74 scholarships, has led to this increase in enrolments,” Dr Kambani said.

He explained that the Vulcan software was an advanced tool in aspects of training related to the mining sector as well as research and consultancy among the teaching staff.

“This is a milestone in the history of the school because without this software, our students will become disadvantaged when compared to students from similar institutions so access to this (Vulcan) software will enable students to learn current trends in the mining sector,” said Dr Kambani. “Also, this software is integrated in that it caters for training in geology, surveying, mining planning up to cash flow analysis and other associated operations relating to mining operations.”

And making the presentation of the Vulcan software supplied by Maptek of South Africa, Chishimba said there is need to establish environments whereby students learnt what is needed in the industry.

“Our partnership with the University of Zambia is to ensure that the School of Mines delivers high quality training so that students learn what is commensurate with the demands of the industry, hence this capacity building through provision of latest equipment and scholarships in order to have an efficient and effective human resource base in the country,” said Chishimba.

Labels: UNZA

posted by MrK @ 7:20 AM