By Bennie Mundando
THE University of Zambia has reached a 93 percent completion rate on the construction of two lecture theatres with a cumulative sitting capacity of 800 students at a total cost of over K14 million.
The two lecture theatres being constructed at the UNZA main campus in the space between the Schools of Mines and Engineering, are made possible through the Ministry of Higher Education’s Support to Science, Technology and Education (SSTEP) programme funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The ultra-modern Engineering and Architectural facility, which is to be completed in April 2021, is independent from the two lecture theatres commissioned by President Edgar Lungu last month.
The new structure under construction comprises of two lecture theatres each with sitting capacity of 400 students, two seminar rooms with sitting capacity of 30 people each, two ventilation plants, storage facilities, and two control rooms.
UNZA Vice Chancellor Professor Luke Mumba has reaffirmed management’s commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges the university is facing including issues around teaching and learning infrastructure.
Prof. Mumba said the university had made some noteworthy achievements in infrastructure development that include the construction of the newly commissioned Teaching and Learning Complex.
He said the complex is valued at approximately K27,000,000 using internally generated funds as well as the construction and refurbishment of the Special Needs Education Centre at the School of Education at a total cost of K7 million, with the financial support of the Christian Blind Mission in Germany.
Others include the construction of the School of Public Health Lecture Theatre at a total cost of US$1 million with the financial support from the United States Government through the Department of Defence and the Centre for Disease Control.
He also said the institution, in partnership with Government and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), had made significant strides in the completion of student hostels on the southern end of main campus.
He said once completed, the project will alleviate the current accommodation challenges facing the University of Zambia.
He said UNZA management was committed to investing in infrastructure development projects at its two campuses to promote the highest quality of teaching, research, and community service for its staff and students.
