Gideon Robert University is a private university located in Lusaka, Zambia. It was established in 2010.[1][2] Founded in 2010, it is officially recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and regulated by the Higher Education Authority of Zambia (HEA).
GRU offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across various academic fields and operates campuses in Lusaka, Lilayi, Kalulushi, and Mapanza. Independent global university directories such as uniRank and EduRank list the institution as an accredited private university in Zambia, ranking it 15th nationally according to EduRank.[3] The university is classified at Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF) Level 10, enabling it to offer degrees up to doctoral level.[4]
History
Gideon Robert University was established in 2010 during the expansion of Zambia's private higher education sector, in line with national policies to improve access to tertiary education. Initially offering diploma programmes in education and business, it expanded in the mid-2010s to include bachelor's degrees, with additional campuses registered in Lilayi and Kalulushi.[5] In 2024, the HEA classified GRU among 14 Zambian universities eligible to award doctoral degrees under the ZQF.This represented a significant milestone in its academic development. In 2025, the university encountered regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges concerning its health sciences programmes, particularly allegations of an unaccredited medical degree.[6]
Timeline
2010 – Established as a private institution in Lusaka.
2012–2015 – Expanded to bachelor's programmes; campuses in Lilayi and Kalulushi registered with HEA.
2019–2020 – Introduction of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery programme
2020 – Growth in postgraduate enrolment noted in university directories.
2024 – Classified by HEA to offer doctoral degrees.
Campuses
According to HEA records, GRU operates four campuses:
Lusaka – Main administrative campus located in the NPF Building, 5th Floor, Cairo Road.
Lilayi – Focuses on academic and teaching facilities, including health sciences.
Kalulushi – Satellite campus in Copperbelt Province.
Mapanza – Additional campus in Southern Province.
Accreditation and recognition
GRU is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education through the HEA and is listed in the official register of private higher education institutions authorised to confer degrees in Zambia. It holds programmatic accreditations and affiliations with bodies such as the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia (NMCZ), Association of Private Universities in Zambia (APUZ/PRICUA), and Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA). In 2024, the HEA designated GRU as eligible to offer doctoral-level qualifications. Global directories like uniRank and EduRank confirm its accreditation within Zambia's system, with an estimated acceptance rate of around 64%.[7][8]
Academic structure
GRU is organised into several schools offering programmes from diplomas to doctorates in fields including education, business, humanities, health sciences, engineering, and more. The academic calendar is semester-based.[9]
School of Teacher Education
Bachelor of Education (various specialisations, e.g., Natural Sciences, Languages, Social Sciences, Primary, Special Education)
Diploma in Primary Education
Diploma in Secondary Education
School of Commerce and Developmental Studies
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Accounting
Master of Business Administration
Master of Public Administration
School of Humanities and Law
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
Master of Arts in International Relations and Development Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Diploma in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB)
Diploma in Clinical Medicine
School of Engineering and Bio-Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Bachelor of Environmental Management
Bachelor of Engineering (various)
Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies
Following the 2024 HEA classification, GRU offers doctoral programmes including:[9]
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology
The university also awards honorary doctorates, such as those conferred to Zambia's Vice President W.K. Mutale Nalumango in 2024 for contributions to education and political science.[10][11]
Partnerships
GRU collaborates with national and professional bodies for accreditation, training, and quality assurance:
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