Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has awarded 15 students scholarships to study at a top university in India starting in July. They will pursue studies in various mining-related disciplines, including Electronics and Instrumentation, Electrical and Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Metallurgy at the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT).

The students were initially sponsored by KCM to study A’ Levels in ICT, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at Simba International School in the city of Ndola, where they obtained excellent results to prepare for entry into international universities.

KCM Acting Chief Executive Officer David Ng’andu said the scholarships, which were introduced in 2011, were part of KCM’s reward scheme for top students from its Trust Schools seeking to pursue university degrees abroad. Another 17 students previously sponsored by KCM are due to complete their degree programmes in various mining fields and medicine in India and Namibia.

“The scholarships, apart from being a reward for hard work and excellence, are also intended to enhance the skill base in the country,” Mr Ng’andu said.

The students, most of them from underprivileged families, praised the company for awarding them the scholarships.

Sam Kunda, 21, who was the top performer during the A’ level study, said receiving the scholarship was “a dream come true” as it would enable him to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Kunda said the scholarship would also lessen the burden of paying university fees on his unemployed parents, who have seven other children.

“The scholarship is a one-time life opportunity and I am positive I will get brilliant experience both personally and professionally because VIT is among the top universities in the world.”

The second best performer Byness Mukabe, 21, said “this is a big relief on my parents as they now have to focus on my siblings who are also in school.”

Nkomanga Zulu, aged 20, said the scholarship had relieved her family.

“KCM has really taken off the burden from our families and we are thankful,” Nkomanga said.

KCM has awarded 302 people with scholarships to study in universities and tertiary institutions in various fields such as hydro-geology in the UK, rock mechanics in Australia, medicine and other specialized nursing courses in Kenya and Zambia since 2007.