Departments

The Directorate of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has four departments comprising ICT Operations, Security, Systems Development and ICT External Projects. The University has seen a comprehensive support in ICT and the Directorate has stood firm of achieving a digital university by 2023.

CBU ICT Projects and Partnerships

Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)

Development of a management information system for ZAQA that will serve as a national database for all learner achievements in the country. The information system allows for the registration of high learning institutions, storing of learner achievements, verification and evaluation of qualifications and accreditation of qualifications.

Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO)

1. CBU developed the web services that power Zanaco’s Bill Muster payment solution. The solution enables students of various institutions meet their financial obligations with payments reflecting in real-time in institution’s financial systems.
2. Development of integrated online human resource appraisal system that integrates to the core banking system, ERP and Postlion ATM system for various actuals.

Ecobank Zambia

1. Development of online payment solution that enables students pay tuition fees using debit and credit cards
2. Development of web services that enable students pay at any branch with payments reflecting real-time in institutions’ financial and/or accounting packages

National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO)

Development of first ever integrated national water and sanitation complaints handling platform. Platform allows customers post various water and sanitation complaints which are escalated to the commercial utility and NWASCO for resolution.

Zambia Institute of Banking and Financial Services (ZIBFS)

1. Development of comprehensive student information system with online admissions, registration and exam processing modules
2. Development of web services that enable students pay at any branch with payments reflecting real-time in institutions’ financial and/or accounting packages. Payment system integrated with student information system.

THE ZAMBIA CYBER CITY

Introduction

The Copperbelt University has over the past five years engaged and executed numerous high profile commercial ICT enterprises of national character for various private and government authorities. Based on the University’s wealth of experience gained thus far and coupled with its strong and dynamic human resource and research focus, CBU in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Communications propose to commercialize these ICT operations via creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) dubbed Zambia Institute of Technology (ZIT).

ZIT shall run the Cyber City and shall equip the Zambian citizenry with various ICT skills by offering relevant and practical ICT training for all from early childhood up to tertiary education and beyond.

The drive to commercialize these services is largely inspired by the government’s push for a Smart Zambia and the university’s own aspiration to apply its teaching and research strengths to solving humanity and societal challenges as enshrined in its motto – “Knowledge and Service”.

The establishment of the Cyber City is a pivotal step in the realisation of the government’s aspirations as embodied in the Smart Zambia Initiative.

Cyber City Services

The Cyber City is to be the country’s flagship ICT innovation hub and provider of world-class and professional ICT services and solutions to the country, region and beyond.

The Cyber City will undertake the following: –

  1. Create conducive business environment to attract local and foreign direct investment by large corporate players in ICTs , banking and finance, insurance , real estate development , hospitality etcetera
  2. In partnership with other institutions, establish a credit bank that will fund ICT innovations and SMEs
  3. Take advantage of Zambia’s stable, peaceful and world-renown hospitality to become a preferred host of national, regional and international technology and innovation seminars and conferences
  4. Spur research and innovation in the country by fostering and establishing linkages with higher learning institutions in the country and beyond. The Cyber City will in conjunction with the National Data Centre provide High Performance Computing facilities for various research applications and uses such as modelling and simulations
  5. Provide business parks and ICT infrastructure such as cloud hosting through the National Data Centre for all reputable ICT companies in the country and beyond that shall be housed in the Cyber City.

Benefits of the Cyber City

  • Employment Creation
    • Contribute to the government target of 1,000,000 jobs for unemployed ,talented , skilled and qualified citizens especially the youths who form the majority of the population
  • Encourage Investment in Energy
    • ICT devices require electrical energy/power
    • Increased demand for ICT products and services will lead to need for more investment in energy
    • Will necessitate greater acceleration of the Rural Electrification Programme (REA)
    • Will encourage research and investment in alternative sources of energy
  • Universal Access for All
    • Currently government rolling out communication towers as Phase 2 of the towering project. This will provide access to various digital and telecommunications services
    • This is indeed a great move. However, it is an opportunity for this access to be fully utilized by creating ICT products and solutions that will ride on these facilities
  • Reduce Cost
    • Reduce amount of money spent on procuring and/or contracting of external ICT products and consultancy
  • Creation of Wealth
    • ICT is a potential contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product
    • ICT employment is comparatively highly remunerative and many citizens can be lifted out of the poverty trap
    • Entrepreneurship–foster or encourage youths in the country to formulate bankable business plans in ICTs that create jobs for many others
  • Capacity Building/Human Capital Development
    • Equip and empower the ICT human resource in the country with internationally recognized technical and sophisticated skills in modern technologies and best practices in various domains especially big data and cyber security
    • ICT human resource to be able to compete on the global job market and work anywhere in the world
    • Support modern and I.T professionals, startups, incubations, collaborations, investments
    • Entrepreneurship – Support innovating and enterprising individuals who have unique ICT products and solutions
  • Enhanced Regulation of ICT Sector

The establishment of the Cyber City will lay considerable groundwork for enhanced regulation of the ICT sector. ZICTA’s compliance and quality assurance functions will be greatly enhanced as a result of the Cyber City.