This collaboration developed an extension service at Copperbelt University (CBU) to help local factories improve the quality and efficiency of their plant floor operations so that they can compete more effectively in the Zambian market with imported goods and services. The partners surveyed local firms to determine their training needs and developed a three-day course to train CBU faculty and Zambian production personnel in productivity and quality improvement skills.

In fall 2001, CBU trainers held two training sessions for production personnel from Copperbelt manufacturing enterprises. In spring 2002, participants from government, industry, and the university attended a two-day conference to assess the training sessions and plan the development of a productivity quality center at CBU. The partners purchased course development software and CBU faculty received training in its use. Partners developed four web-based training courses that were offered to manufacturing companies in Zambia - Lean Manufacturing, ISO 9000, Statistical Process Control, and Total Quality Management.