Kansanshi mining plc donates 105 computers to five selected schools

Kansanshi Mining PLC has donated 105 computers to five schools within its catchment area and an additional 60 computers to the Copperbelt University. Kansanshi Mining PLC Assistant General Manager Axel Kottgen described the donation as an investment in digital and technological…

Kansanshi Mining PLC has donated 105 computers to five schools within its catchment area and an additional 60 computers to the Copperbelt University.

Kansanshi Mining PLC Assistant General Manager Axel Kottgen described the donation as an investment in digital and technological skills for learners and students in a world that keeps evolving.

He noted that digital and technological skills are essential tools in a world that is changing, adding that the future of mining will require a generation of highly skilled people with mining becoming technology driven.

“Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics and computer vision are no longer concepts confined to research laboratories, they are increasingly becoming part of how industries operate including the mining industry,” he said.

Mr Kottgen reiterated the mining company’s commitment to supporting the education sector, stating that education is leading the future of the continent and the mining company wants to ensure that young people from North-western province have the same opportunity to participate in this future.

He added that meaningful development and opportunities can only happen if education is strengthened.

And North-western Provincial Education officer Mutinta  Mubanga represented by Senior standards officer- examination Vacster Katende commended the Mining company for it’s continued commitment to improving the education sector in the province.

Mrs Mubanga stated that the computers are not a mere donation but a step in ensuring a future ready digital skill generation without leaving any child behind.

 She disclosed that the latest donation brings the total number of computers donated to the ministry by Kansanshi Mining PLC to 425.

” Today is a statement that education in North-western province is moving from the chalkboard to the global stage of machine learning and computer vision,” she said.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt University Dean of the School of Information and Communication Technology, Josephat Kalezhi, said the 60 computers donated are timely, coming at a period when the school is grappling with inadequate ICT infrastructure due to rising student numbers.

He said that the donation is an investment in both machinery, infrastructure and people.

“We thank Kansanshi Mining PLC for the generous donation of ICT equipment that includes desktop computers, servers as well as network switches, we are not merely receiving equipment but tools of transformation, tools that will shape minds and build the human potential that Zambia so desperately needs,” he said.

Mr Kalezhi added that the National Development Agenda articulated by the eighth National Development plan places science, technology and innovation at the center of the country’s journey towards a prosperous middle-income nation adding that the computers received will help in moving towards that.

The computer donation also served as the official opening of the two day AI Hackathon competition with 21 schools from within Solwezi participating.

The schools are expected to come up with AI solutions across the copper mine value chain.