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The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc have reportedly awarded student loans to 64 academically exceptional but financially disadvantaged students.
This was done under the KCM-HELSB Scholastic Excellence Programme for the 2025 academic year.
The US$100,000 annual initiative, launched in January 2025, supports students from KCM’s areas of operation—Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe, and Shibuyunji districts.
According to a joint statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday by Victoria Zimba, KCM’s Public Relations Manager, and Chiselwa Kawanda, HELSB’s Corporate Affairs Manager, the selection process was rigorous, with 346 applications received.
The 64 successful candidates will study at the Copperbelt University (CBU), the University of Zambia (UNZA), Northern Technical College (NORTEC), and Zambia University College of Technology (ZUT).
“This is after meeting the eligibility criteria, with the total sponsorship cost amounting to ZMW 2,788,317.82, within the allocated programme budget,” Zimba and Kawanda stated.
The scholarship covers tuition and related costs, ensuring recipients can focus on their studies without financial burdens.
The selection was distributed as follows by district: Chingola (29), Kitwe (20), Chililabombwe (10), and by Shibuyunji (1) by institution: CBU (56), UNZA (3), NORTEC (4), ZUT (1)
HELSB Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Machayi, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to expanding higher education opportunities for Zambian youth.
“This partnership with KCM is a testament to our collective resolve to invest in Zambia’s future by empowering bright students who face financial constraints. We appreciate KCM’s dedication to education and look forward to growing this programme to benefit more students in the coming years,” Machayi said.
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Meanwhile, KCM Chief Operating Officer, Malcolm Mewett, stated the company’s focus on education as a driver of local talent development.
“At KCM, we believe that access to quality education is key to unlocking Zambia’s potential. This scholarship programme will not only transform the lives of these students but also contribute to building a skilled workforce for the mining and other industrial sectors,” Mewett said.
HELSB and KCM assured their continued commitment to strengthening the initiative and expanding its reach.
“The KCM-HELSB Scholastic Excellence Programme promotes access to higher education in critical fields such as mining, geology, ICT, and environmental studies—key sectors for Zambia’s socio-economic growth,” Zimba and Kawanda stated.
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