Copperbelt University: Zambia’s Premier Institution of Applied Science and Mining Excellence
Situated in the heart of Zambia’s copper-rich industrial belt, the Copperbelt University (CBU) stands as the nation’s premier institution for applied science, technology, and sustainable development. Established on December 1, 1987, by Act of Parliament No. 19 of the Zambian government, the university emerged from the former University of Zambia at Ndola, a constituent institution, before achieving full independent university status in 1989. Today, CBU is the second-largest public university in Zambia and is widely regarded as the “talent pool” for the country’s economic and social development.
Strategic Location and Academic Architecture
The university’s main campus is strategically located on Jambo Drive in Riverside, Kitwe, the provincial capital of the Copperbelt Province. This location places CBU at the epicentre of Zambia’s mining industry, providing unparalleled opportunities for industry-linked research and training. The university’s academic structure comprises twelve schools: the School of Mines and Mineral Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Business, School of Natural Resources, School of Medicine, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of the Built Environment, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Information and Communication Technology, School of Graduate Studies, and the Directorate of Distance Education and Open Learning. With an enrolment of approximately 9,000 to 10,000 students, CBU offers programmes spanning engineering, mineral sciences, medicine, business, natural resource management, peace studies, and information technology. Buy fake diploma online.
A World Bank Designated Centre of Excellence
What truly sets CBU apart is its selection by the World Bank to host the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining (CBU-ACESM). This prestigious designation places CBU at the forefront of research and postgraduate training in sustainable mining practices across the continent. The centre focuses on five thematic areas: occupational health and community vulnerability in mining environments; restoration of mined and derelict areas; energy use and process design; biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring; and livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. The university also houses the Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, a unique research centre dedicated to peace research and conflict resolution in the Southern African region.
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Research Impact and Global Recognition
CBU anchors its research priorities on the Sustainable Development Goals, with key research areas including mining and environmental sustainability, health and biomedical sciences, climate resilience, and business management. The university is actively engaged in applied research projects ranging from the development of fish vaccines and rapid diagnostic protocols for infectious diseases to community-led strategies for climate-resilient food systems. In global rankings, CBU was placed #39 in the QS World University Rankings – Sub-Saharan Africa 2026, affirming its standing as a leading institution in the region.
Campus, Culture, and International Engagement
The university operates multiple campuses, including the main Riverside campus in Kitwe and a satellite campus in Solwezi. CBU maintains active international collaborations, including partnerships with Beijing Jiaotong University focused on railway development and technical training. With its distinctive colours of gold, blue, and white, and a student body drawn from across Zambia and beyond, Copperbelt University continues to fulfil its mission: to contribute to the well-being of the people of Zambia and the world through flexible, innovative, and entrepreneurial programmes of teaching, learning, research, and service.