Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Construction of 26 blocks of hostels at UNZA commences

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UNZA Student Residences
UNZA Student Residences

The construction of 26 blocks of hostels at the University of Zambia Great East Road Main Campus has commenced.

And government says it will spend about 513 million kwacha on the project.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Vocation Training, Sydney Mushanga disclosed this when he toured the construction site at the University.

Mr. Mushanga says the 26 Hostels which will house Four thousand, One Hundred and 60 bed spaces will cushion challenges of bed spaces at the University.

He says government has also released funds for the construction of hostels at The Copperbelt University and the Evelyn Hone College.

Meanwhile University of Zambia Vice Chancellor, Stephen Simukanga says six local and foreign contractors have been engaged to construct the hostels.

Professor Simukanga says the University will also embark on the construction of five thousand bed spaces under Public Private Partnership Agreement.

The University of Zambia currently has Three thousand and Seven hundred bed spaces against 27 thousand students.

Professor Simukanga says the University will also construct Lecture Theatres, Staff Houses and Libraries.

He however appealed to government to urgently settle the 90 million kwacha bursary fees it owes the institution.

22 COMMENTS

  1. I WOULD SUGGEST BUILDING A NEW UNZA ON A DIFFERENT FRESH GROUND AND CLOSING THE OLD UNZA FOR A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF OLD UNZA STRUCTURES. UNZA WAS NEVER FINISHED DUE TO POOR POLITCS AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTING AND CONTRACTED COUNTRY (ISREAL WHO EVEN WENT AWAY WITH THE STRUCTURAL PLAN. WONDER why grz did not have a copy) IN THE KK REGIME. SHORT OF THAT UNZA WILL EVER BE A CASH COW. ONCE I WAS THERE- JESUS H CHRIST, DI THE WHOLE BUILDING LEAK WITH CONSTANT FLOODSINGS.

    • KIkikikikikikikikikikiki where you really at UNZA? And stop this habit of writing in capital letters, its very irritating to the eyes

    • Ba Peter, please check your english… Were you really at UNZA? You are showing serious signs of the dreaded disease called “Leakage.”

    • I suspect your suggestion should have gone into putting up more campuses of the University of Zambia. In the UK where your flag puts you (if at all) even has campuses in the far east now. Why are you advocating a shrinking without reasonable cause?

  2. I would also suggest not only revamping UNZA infrastructure but revamping the whole human resource structure starting with the fake Professors masquerading as such. The Act needs to change to bring UNZA into the main stream. A University that does not resonate with international standards can not feed into the national development agenda. You do not just start using the title “Professor” without any tangible evidence that the people who carry those titles indeed satisfied even the barest regional minimum requirements to be conferred with such. What more at international level? Patronage, beer drinking and just a general sense of lack of seriousness exasperated by internal fights for silly positions such as headships, deanships etc is just a manifestation of ubututu. The govt needs

  3. to pump money into a research fund e.g. a national research fund that can be called the National Research Fund (NRF) to be accessed by all tertiary institutions and other research organizations. One of the terms of reference should demand “innovating the research products” for the benefit of the people. UNZA needs to cut the culture of ruralness that was precipitated mostly by folks with “rural” teaching backgrounds. We are behind and we need to catch up. Performance must be rewarded as opposed to ridiculed by these same rural folks who brought a culture never seen in the history of the world. There are brilliant young minds that need to be encouraged there at UNZA by getting rid of this counter-productive generation of losers. UNZA can be transformed both infrastructure wise as…

  4. as well as development of a culture amongst its staff of excellence through research and innovation. I believe there may be some research products gathering dust and awaiting innovation at UNZA but more can be achieved by taking advantage of the brilliant young minds who are just curtailed and discouraged by a generation that came to UNZA from the villages believing they had reached the sky when UNZA should be the starting point towards the sky. PMS must as a matter of urgency be introduced. It not only serves as a driver for great outputs but it also serves as a vehicle for personal professional progression. Some journal articles can not be used for promotion and that should stand out clearly. Everyone must aim for excellence and not patronage. That’s RURAL!!!!!

    • @PK. Well said! It actually makes you question whether our Higher Education Institutions actually undergo any Quality Assurance Audits relating to infrastructure, teaching, scholarship, curriculum, examinations, research and student satisfaction.

    • Your argument is the proverbial chicken and egg story. The perception you have presented of the UNZA professors is precisely because they have failed to get government and indeed even private funding for their endeavors. If you have ever been at UNZA you will realize that your rantings border speculation and theoretical observation from a very far distance. You are almost suggesting that innovation happens in a void. It doesn’t. Most of those professors’ contributions are incorporated in patents and other implementations in foreign countries where their contributions are being funded. Zambia spends too much time on perception at the expense of solid progress.

  5. kOMA WASABAILA iwe mu Tonga , this is in PF Government, Unza is perfect thus why we now have mushindo university and many more. so research will start from these small universities not UNZA , unza will just be marking after pipo write research papers

    • Look at you. How do you reduce yourself to hat level and begin thinking like an animal? We are talking things that can change everyone’s quality of life if implemented and you are busy politicking. Human waste at its best!!!!

  6. I have to get some contract even to make window frames. failure to that I will look at it as a lie. Those foreign and local contractors should sub contractor. mailo iam going there

  7. It’s a good development and is yet more proof that PF are a listening and Acting Party. I hope kids will now learn to be hopeful and patient. It was necessary to demonstrate so their plight was heard. But please more talking and less of suicides and acting out of anger, burning things and bashing other people’s properties!!

    I recall UNZA just after it was built and opened. My Uncle Luca Jere was in charge of Catering and was provided a roof top maisonette type flat, very groovy. We used to stay with him from time to time and my cousins were babies. But really it was beautifuuuuuuuul! The grounds and the trees, little lakes…it’s sad to hear that the buildings are now, run. I hope the site will be restored fully, even in UK such university sites are not comparable in beauty.

  8. Bravo!!! The new infrastructure will add value to the public institutions of Higher Learning in the country.

  9. I was there when the institution was a place to be proud of.Green grass,clean environment,delicious meals prepared in a clean kitchen and served by respectful cooks, and off course,allowances.The last time I visited,oh gosh..I advised my son never to his set foot there…. filthy!! Anyway,Zambia is not clean in general.

  10. My highest educational background ends at Sesheke Secondary School in M2 with a GCE and a proud product of 1994………………………. but this looks great for my children. Well done GRZ!

    From your Friends in Livingstone 2015

  11. @Ubuntungwa mu Jambojambo, chi Peter is not only showing signs of “leakage” but it is also typing in upper case!

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