Copperbelt University
| Motto | Knowledge and Service |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1 December 1987[1] |
| Vice-Chancellor | (as of 2025) Prof. Imasiku Nyambe[2] |
| Students | ~15,900 (circa 2017)[3] |
| Location | Kitwe (main campus), Copperbelt Province, Zambia |
| Language | English |
Copperbelt University (CBU) is a public institution of higher learning located primarily in Kitwe, Zambia. Established in 1987 by Act of Parliament No. 19, CBU is the second largest public university in the country, missioned to deliver teaching, research, consultancy, and public service under the motto "Knowledge and Service."[6][7][8][9]
History
Prior to its founding in 1987, CBU operated as the University of Zambia’s Ndola campus (UNZANDO), comprising the School of Business and Industrial Studies and School of Environmental Studies.[10] On 1 January 1989, it merged with the Zambia Institute of Technology (ZIT) to form the School of Technology.[11] The institution rapidly expanded from two schools to ten faculties by 2013.[12]
Campuses and expansion
CBU operates multiple campuses:
- Riverside (Main campus) and Parklands, both in Kitwe.
- Ndola campus for medical education and other programmes.
- Kapasa Makasa and TAZARA campuses, expanding regional presence.[13]
- Lusaka campus was launched in 2023 to broaden access to higher education in the capital region.[14]
Academic structure
Faculties and school
CBU comprises multiple faculties providing diverse programmes:
- School of Engineering (nation’s largest, first in Southern Africa offering Mechatronics)[15]
- School of Built Environment (Architecture, Real Estate, Planning, Quantity Surveying)[16][17]
- Schools of Business; Natural Resources; Mines and Mineral Sciences; Humanities & Social Sciences; ICT; Mathematics & Natural Sciences; Medicine (MCSCBUSOM); plus a Directorate for Distance Education and Open Learning.[18][19]
School of Medicine
Founded in 2011, it is the second public medical school in Zambia—located in Ndola, adjacent to referral hospitals. It offers MBChB, BDS, clinical medicine, public health, and postgraduate programmes.[20]
School of Natural Resources
Introduced in 1995, initially offering a BSc in Forestry and expanded to Forestry, Fisheries, Agroforestry, Wildlife Management, and postgraduate degrees.[21]
Demographics and impact
CBU had approximately 15,900 students in 2017, producing about 1,500 graduates annually in sectors like mining, agriculture, engineering, environment, business, medicine, and construction.[22] It employs over 900 staff and is a major academic hub on the Copperbelt.[23]
Research, outreach and facilities
The university offers consultancy and applied research to industry and government.[24] Its Riverside campus hosts Zambia’s first grid-connected solar power station (1 MW, expanded to 34 MW), showcasing its commitment to renewable energy and sustainability.[25]
Governance and accreditation
Legally recognized by Zambia’s Ministry of Education in 1989, CBU is accredited and is a member of academic networks: ACU, AAU, SARUA, and ACDE.[26]
Notable alumni and contributions
Alumni include national leaders like Felix Mutati and Margaret Mwanakatwe. The university’s influence spans engineering, public administration, mining, and the built environment.[27]
See also
References
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Britannica*; “established … 1987,” accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “CBU launches Lusaka campus,” *CBU News*, Nov 2023.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” Wikipedia, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” Britannica, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” Wikipedia, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “CBU launches Lusaka campus,” CBU News, Nov 2023.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” Wikipedia, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” Wikipedia, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “CBU launches Lusaka campus,” CBU News, Nov 2023.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “School of the Built Environment,” CBU official site.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University School of Medicine,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University School of Medicine,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University School of Natural Resources,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “The Case of the Copperbelt University in Zambia,” *The Open AIDS Journal*, 2016.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University – About Us,” CBU ECAMPUS site, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Zambia Riverside Solar Power Station,” *Wikipedia*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “The Copperbelt University,” *uniRank*, accessed 2025.
- ↑ “Copperbelt University,” Wikipedia, accessed 2025.
Cite error: <ref> tag defined in <references> has no name attribute.
