LUANSHYA, Zambia, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government has hailed a Chinese enterprise for transforming the Luanshya Skills Training Centre into the Sino-Zam College of Science and Technology which will benefit Zambian youths through various training.
The China Nonferrous Metals Company Luanshya Copper Mine (CLM) has predicted a positive growth at its Luanshya Copper Mine on the Copperbelt province indicating increased copper production and hopes for more job opportunities for the locals.
Commissioning the modernized and upgraded Sino-Zam College of Science and Technology in Luanshya on Friday, Minister of Higher Education Brian Mushimba said the Zambian government is happy with the China Nonferrous Metals Company's move to invest in the empowerment of youths with training which place them in a better position to contribute to national development.
At the new upgraded college, the number of students has been increased from 140 to 260 while the number of lecturers has also increased from 14 to 26 offering 11 different courses.
"The new upgraded college is now a model training center offering various professional training using modern technology and state-of-the-art equipment," he said.
The modernized and upgraded college will now have training and accommodation facilities to cater for more students and lecturers.
Mushimba is happy that Chinese enterprises were supplementing the Zambian government's efforts to improve the learning standards in Zambia.
A total of eight vocational colleges from China have partnered with Sino-Zam College of Science and Technology by offering training in various courses after entering into an agreement for a pilot vocational training package which would in future culminate into offering undergraduate and post graduate degree courses to the locals.
The minister said the newly commissioned college has brought about quality education and hope for a bright future for the many youths in the mining town.
China Nonferous Metal Mining (Group) Co. Ltd vice president Zhang Jinjun said his company was happy to work with the Zambian government to contribute towards the country's social and economic development.
Zhang said business trends in the mining sector were indicating that the mining sector was heading for growth.
He said cobalt production was expected to increase to 25,000 tonnes, while copper production was estimated to be heading to 55,000 tonnes per annum, a situation which will see CLM create 3,000 jobs in Luanshya.
Zhang said 1.88 million U.S. dollars were spent on corporate social responsibility by the company's Luanshya Copper Mine last year and that a total of 789,000 U.S. dollars were spent towards corporate social responsibility in the first half of 2019.
