A delegation from Lualaba Copper Smelter SAS (LCS), led by Samuel, Abel, and Yang Lei, visited Lubumbashi from September 16 to 18, 2026, to establish lasting partnerships with prominent educational institutions in the region. The goal is to promote training, internships, and recruitment of local young talents. This move aligns with LCS's commitment to engaging with the academic world and supporting the company's social responsibility and human resource localization policies.
The LCS delegation visited three key institutions, starting with the Polytechnic Faculty of the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU). Founded in 1956, UNILU has a strong reputation in mining and metallurgy. The dean, Professor Augustin, emphasized the importance of mining companies' involvement in students' practical training, enabling them to adapt to the country's industrial realities. The parties discussed potential collaborations to enhance students' skills and employability.
At the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique (ISP-Lubumbashi), established in 1959, the LCS delegation agreed to a principle agreement to establish a permanent internship and integration mechanism for graduates. The team also presented the company and its opportunities to teachers and students. ISP-Lubumbashi offers programs in education, management, and languages, with plans to introduce Chinese language instruction to meet growing market demands.
The mission concluded at the École Supérieure d'Ingénierie (UNILU-ESI) with a meeting with Professor Mathieu. He highlighted the high employability rate of ESI engineers, whose specialties align with LCS's operational needs. In response, the LCS human resources team committed to identifying recruitment needs and structuring a formal partnership framework with ESI to support direct recruitment.
Through these consultations, LCS reaffirms its commitment to investing in Congolese human capital. By creating direct links between university education and industrial employment, the company aims to contribute to the professional insertion of young graduates from Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, while strengthening cooperation between the DRC and China.
The partnerships are expected to enhance the employability of local graduates, promote technology transfer, and support the growth of the mining sector in the region. LCS's efforts to engage with local educational institutions demonstrate its dedication to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in the communities it operates in.
As the mining sector continues to play a vital role in the DRC's economy, collaborations between industry players and educational institutions are crucial for shaping the future of the sector. LCS's initiatives are seen as a positive step towards fostering a skilled workforce and promoting economic growth in the region.
Key points
- LCS aims to create direct links between university education and industrial employment to support the professional insertion of young graduates.
- The company is committed to investing in Congolese human capital and promoting technology transfer.
- The partnerships are expected to enhance the employability of local graduates and support the growth of the mining sector in the region.
