Friday, March 29, 2024

VODAFONE Zambia opens its doors at UNZA

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UNZA Dean of students Mr Zgambo and Vodafone CEO Mr Stork cutting the ribbon
UNZA Dean of students Mr Zgambo and Vodafone CEO Mr Stork cutting the ribbon

ICT company champions youth empowerment by bridging digital divide

Vodafone Zambia has officially opened its latest retail outlet at the University of Zambia (UNZA) main campus along Great East Road in a move that will see university students easily access the company’s ultra-fast 4G-LTE internet and devices.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the store, Vodafone Zambia CEO Lars Stork said: “Fast and affordable internet access will be this generation’s greatest leveler. Access to the internet means access to information, and access to communication networks; access that will improve education, and career outcomes. That’s the rationale behind the opening of this store at the University of Zambia campus.”

Mr. Stork stated further that Vodafone Zambia believes it is playing a critical role in empowering young people by giving them access to the devices and the network that will enhance their academic ambitions, optimise their aspirations, and enable them to soar as they pursue their careers.

“Zambia’s young people are ambitious and hardworking. We have made it our mission to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to fully realise their potential,” he added.

Vodafone CEO Mr Lars Stork
Vodafone CEO Mr Lars Stork

The event was also graced by the university’s dean of students, Mr Lastone T. Zgambo, who emphasised how technology has become embedded in education and the need to provide learners with relevant and contemporary tools that allow them to successfully engage with their study material and prepare them for life after school.

“The digital age has transformed the way young people communicate, network, seek help, access information and learn. We must recognise that young people are now an online population and access is through a variety of means such as computers and mobile phones

“We therefore thank Vodafone Zambia for opening this store and providing the tools necessary for university students to thrive even as technology becomes more and more embedded in our culture,” said Mr Zgambo.

UNZA Dean of Students Mr Laston Zgambo
UNZA Dean of Students Mr Laston Zgambo

Vodafone entered the Zambian market on June 9, 2016 and young people have formed a core part of the telco’s strategy in Zambia. As proof of its commitment, it is empowering students through its graduate trainee programme that makes up 50 per cent of the company’s staff compliment; Brand Ambassador programme that has 250 students of which 60 are from the University of Zambia as well as the e-learning portal – JUMP, which continues to provide students with content that is relevant to their everyday life.

 

About Vodafone

Vodafone is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 58 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 31 March 2016, Vodafone had 462 million mobile customers and 13.4 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com.

14 COMMENTS

  1. This will be a pipedream as long as the Internet charges remain unaffordable. How long does a bundle last if one has to download large documents or stream movies? Expensive Internet cannot the Great Leveler. Vodafone should be talking about a timeline for free Internet in Zambia. Otherwise this is just another ripoff of Third Worlders because that’s where superprofits can still be found as Internet access is no longer profitable in the West.

    • Agreed. Internet providers are reaping off the Zambians. It cost me K 800 per week to access the so called internet bundle. Here in Kenya I spend only K 400 per month. This is a total reap off.

  2. I long for the day when Zambia will start making things and just consuming things. UNZA is not a mall, I realize we need affordable communication but this (utuntemba for talk time) is the last thing we want to be housed at campus.

    • Africa is a continent of dimwits. They live in a fantasy world. So superstitious. No wonder they fail to understand how things work. Ever wondered why is the most stinking continent? No any amount of education would reduce the social illiteracy of an African. Africans believe anything.

    • THE BIGGEST STUPID COMPANIES IN ZAMBIA ARE ZAMTEL AND ZESCO. ZAMTEL (STARTING WHEN THEY WERE CALLED PTC) SHOULD HAVE STARTED DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING LAND PHONES AND NOW MOBILE PHONES. ZESCO, ALSO SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING STOVES, VACUUM MACHINES, DISHWASHERS, WASHING MACHINES, FRIDGE/FREEZERS, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC GADGETS IN BOTH COMPANIES CASES. THESE TWO COMPANIES HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENGINNERS- THEY HAVE NO EXECUSE AS TO WHY THEY SHOULD PRODUCE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC GOODS. IN THE UK FOR EXAMPLE, BT (BRITISH TELECOMS) DESIGNS AND MANUFACTURES ALL KINDS OF PHONE AND OTHE ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL GADGETS. WHY NOT ZESCO AND ZAMTEL?

  3. You don’t find Vodafone at universities here. I don’t like their services. Mr X is correct. Why does UNZA just want to be a consumer? What happened to Zamnet? It would have made sense to open the shop at Eastpark mall and not at the campus. This is what happens when people become consumers. UNZA only needs Vondafone research arm and not consumer arm

  4. I realised Zambia is among the worst countries which has very high rates on internet charges. Mr Minister this chaps who come with such communication. Please sit them down and tell them to reduce the charges, if they refuse chase them we remain with zamtel.

  5. VODAFONE, Thanks a lot for the portable wifi , your small device called a MIFI ,Works like a Charm. It has made my communication with family outside Zambia very easy. I LOVE it. Great INVENTION.

  6. Many dont realise that Zamnet, a company now partly owned by UNZA, was conceived and houses at UNZA under Prof Siwela and Mwenechana regime. Now UNZA can’t even use its own innovation. It’s indeed a shame.

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