The equipment worth K5.2 million was donated to the school of engineering specifically for the enhancement of the department of environmental and civil engineering. THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has donated equipment and a brand new Toyota land cruiser to the University of Zambia (UNZA).
The equipment worth K5.2 million was donated to the school of engineering specifically for the enhancement of the department of environmental and civil engineering.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the UNZA Senate Chamber yesterday, RDA chairperson Samuel Mukupa said the equipment was procured through a loan from the International Development Association of the World Bank.
Mr. Mukupa Said “this initiative is part of the World Bank world rehabilitation and maintenance project, phase two.”
He added that in order to assist in reducing operational challenges of the institution, RDA saw it necessary to also donate a Toyota land cruiser registration number ALT 3121 which will be used for field work in the department.
The Chairperson added that “RDA has advanced to establish a construction material centre at UNZA, a civil engineering lab to be jointly run by RDA and UNZA.”
Mr. Mukupa further said UNZA had offered land for the construction of the centre and RDA had already engaged a contractor at the cost of K2.9 million and the consultant has since started the design and is expected complete in January next year.
Meanwhile, UNZA acting vice chancellor Enala Tembo Mwase revealed that UNZA had not made any major procurement to upgrade its teaching and learning laboratories since the early 70s.
“As a result the capacity of the University to train, undertake research and offer consultancy services to the general public has been heavily constrained,” Prof. Mwase stated.
The acting Vice Chancellor said the state of the art equipment donated by RDA will greatly enhance the institution’s capacity to train, conduct research and consultancy services.
She urged the school to ensure that the equipment be used for development capacity to generate consultancy income.
“The income will be re-invested in maintenance and replacement of other equipment that may with time become obsolete.” Prof. Mwase said. “The donation comes at a time when the University of Zambia has operationalised its alumni relations and engagements with both its alumni and the corporate partners.”
She said this in a speech read for her by UNZA acting deputy vice chancellor Meek Mwala.
RDA spends k5.2 million on UNZA school of engineering
