Gertrude Mwangala facts for kids

Dr. Gertrude Mwangala Akapelwa is a very important Zambian leader in technology and education. She used to work as a systems engineer for IBM and managed technology for the African Development Bank. Today, she is the Vice Chancellor of Victoria Falls University of Technology (VFU). She even helped start this university in 2002!

Her Early Life and Learning Journey

Dr. Akapelwa was born in Zambia around 1948. She started her university studies at the University of Zambia in 1969. In 1973, she earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science, in both Mathematics and Education.

Later, in 1997, she went to Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. There, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree. This degree focused on how to make good public rules and manage things well.

She continued her learning journey and earned a Doctor of Education degree in 2020. She got this degree from the University of Liverpool. Her special research was about how to use computers and communication technology to make learning better in universities.

Dr. Akapelwa's Amazing Career

Dr. Gertrude Akapelwa began her career in 1973. She worked for the Zambian branch of International Business Machines (IBM). She was a Systems Engineer, which means she helped design and manage computer systems. She worked there for over eight years.

In 1982, she joined the African Development Bank. She became the Information Technology Infrastructure and Systems Manager. She worked for almost 24 years at this bank. Her work took her to different countries like Ivory Coast and Tunisia.

In 2002, Dr. Akapelwa had a big idea. She founded the Victoria Falls University of Technology (VFU). This university is located in Livingstone, Zambia. In 2010, she became its Vice Chancellor. She still holds this important position today.

Other Important Roles

Dr. Akapelwa also helps many other organizations. She is a director on the boards of several companies. For example, she is a non-executive director for Zambia Railways Limited.

She also owns and runs her own business. It's called La Residence Executive Guest House, located in Livingstone, Zambia.

In the past, she was the Chairperson of the Zambia Information & Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). She also helped with a special committee for the Zambian Government. This committee worked on managing land information.

Dr. Akapelwa has received many awards for her hard work.

• She got the John Mwanakatwe Distinguished Award.
• She was honored for being the first female Computer Scientist in Zambia. This award came from the Zambia Association of University Women.
• She received an award for excellence from IBM.
• She was also recognized as one of Africa's Most Influential Women in Business. She won this award three times, in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

See also

• Mizinga Melu
• Florence Mumba
• Elizabeth Muyovwe