Copperbelt University Dean of the School of Engineering Clive Chirwa
By Paul Shalala
The Copperbelt University (CBU) and the Zambia Airforce (ZAF) are later this month commencing the first ever intake of aeronautical engineers who will study aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.
Copperbelt University Dean of the School of Engineering Clive Chirwa says the first intake will comprise of 22 students who have been drawn from both Zambia and abroad.
Professor Chirwa says following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ZAF and CBU, the dream of Zambia developing its own plane is now a reality.
“We have a team of 22 students who will commence class on 22 April this year. This is a dream come true. We hope to develop our own plane soon,” said Prof Chirwa.
He also disclosed that Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola and Kalulushi Airstrip will be transformed into a school of aviation where both civilian and military pilots will be trained.
Pilots and aeronautics engineers will be based at the two institutions for training.
“We are starting with Bachelors Degree with Honours at the Copperbelt University and will also offer Master of Science and PhD by Research in Aeronautics which is not being offered anywhere in Zambia,” he said.
With government’s plan to re-introduce a national airline in the near future, the aviation school may be the missing critical component.
Prof Chirwa is a distinguished academic in the field of Structural Crashworthiness and Impact loading engineering.
He previously served as a Zambia Railway Chief Executive Officer.
