Brief History

The vision of the Council of the University to project the image of the Copperbelt University internationally, as one of the leading tertiary institutions within the SADC region is becoming a reality. The quality of graduate academic programmes, especially the quality of research, teaching and publications are the measuring indicators of the level of academic excellence that every university aspires to achieve. The Council of the Copperbelt University has since 1987 worked assiduously to create the appropriate institutional structures to facilitate high quality graduate research and publications. Thus, in 1989, preparations were made for the launching of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

The initial MBA curriculum was developed in 1989, and later approved by Senate. Owing to a number of constraints, the programme could not be launched immediately. In 1994, a commitment was made that the MBA programme should start in 1995. The programme was eventually started in May 1995. This led to the establishment of the Department of Postgraduate Studies. The establishment of the Department of Postgraduate Studies was to ultimately facilitate the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies to coordinate all graduate academic programmes, i.e., teaching, research and publications in all the Schools. The realization of the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies was constrained by circumstances beyond the control of all the stakeholders. Though all the constraints have not been overcome, the global dictates of the developmental trends of tertiary institutions warrant the birth of the School of Graduate Studies at the Copperbelt University. Thus, on Friday, 27^th June 2008, the Council of the Copperbelt University made a significant decision to establish the School of Graduate Studies. The decision was in recognition of the numerous inquiries and demand for graduate degree programmes including PhD to enhance Zambia's human resource capacity development.  Furthermore, it has been realized that all the Schools in the University are well placed to start new Masters and PhD programmes.

The School of Graduate Studies has been established to coordinate all graduate academic programmes in all the Schools in the University, facilitate high quality research and publication by graduate students and members of staff , create research linkages at the highest level with other graduate schools within the Commonwealth Association of Universities as well as Association of African Universities.In line with the School's establishment, it is anticipated that every year, the School would be challenged to conduct graduate research and consultancy programmes that would continue to project and sustain the excellent academic image of the Copperbelt University. Further, it is anticipated by all stakeholders that capacity building and staff development would be boosted and significantly enhanced, hence improving the academic standards both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Finally, the School of Graduate Studies has been established to facilitate the research and publication activities of the Dag Hammarskjold Chair of Peace, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution.

Within one year of its establishment, the School has launched two additional graduate programmes, i.e., MSc in Project Management run by the School of Built Environment and MA Human Resource Management run by the School of Business. The successful launching of the two programmes is in line with the University Council resolve to promote postgraduate studies, i.e., teaching, research and publication. However, barring any constraints in the future, the School through its strategic plan expects to increase the postgraduate academic programmes in all Schools. Meanwhile serious efforts are being made to start MPhil and PhD programmes by the beginning of 2010 Academic year.