By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
STANDARD Chartered Bank Zambia last weekend marked 15 years of corporate leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country with a donation of 10 computers to Copperstone University in Kitwe.
Standard Chartered also hosted an HIV/AIDS awareness session for Copperstone lecturers and staff as part of the bank’s effort to join hands to stop the vice in workplaces, communities and homes.
Speaking at the HIV awareness training which was also to commemorate the World AIDS Day which fell on December 1, Company secretary Celine Nair said the bank recognized the crucial role that lecturers play in society.
“When we enter higher education, we spend the best part of our early adult years learning from you. Lecturers such as yourselves shape careers, our economic development depends on the knowledge you impart to university students,” she said.
It was for this reason that the bank decided to commemorate the World AIDS Day with lecturers and staff at Copperstone University with the view to sharing the HIV model in workplace.
She said it was common knowledge that HIV/AIDS was stalling economic progress through decreased productivity, absenteeism and high staff turnover.
Standard Chartered Bank 15 years ago, recognised the need to take pro-active steps to tackle HIV, a result which saw the bank formulating ‘Living with HIV in the workplace’ programme.
The focus of the programme was educating and empowering people with the facts about HIV/AIDS and proven preventative measures.
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia chief executive officer Andrew Okai said the computers were aimed at helping the university impart knowledge to the students and ultimately to the wider community.
Copperstone vice-chancellor Sitwala Mundia thanked the bank for being a good corporate leader by dedicating themselves to playing a greater role combating HIV/AIDS in the country.
Prof Mundia pledged to ensure that the university would use the knowledge acquired in the awareness training as well as the donated computers for the benefit of the students, staff, communities and the country.