MOPANI TRAINING MANAGER TO JOIN THE WORLD’S TOP EDUCATION LEADERS AT IFE CONFERENCE 2026
Mopani Copper Mines PLC is pleased to announce the invitation of its Training and Development Manager, Dr. Christopher Chileshe, to serve as a Keynote Panelist at the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE) Conference 2026, one of the world’s most influential global platforms for advancing educational innovation.
Formerly known as the International Conference on Innovation in Education (CIIE), the 12th edition of the IFE Conference will be held from 27th to 29th January 2026 at the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The conference is expected to attract more than 4,000 participants (including over 3,000 in-person delegates) comprising university presidents, academic leaders, policymakers, and global education innovators.
IFE Conference Organising Committee President, Mr. José Escamilla said Dr. Chileshe’s invitation is in recognition of his outstanding expertise and leadership in educational innovation, higher education, and lifelong learning, as well as his significant contribution to skills development and workforce transformation within the mining and industrial sectors.
Aside from heading Mopani’s training and capital development, Dr. Chileshe was recently elected Chairperson of the newly formed Mining Sectors Skills Body, representing the Zambia Chamber of Mines in what is an industry-led initiative at national level to change the Skills Development landscape in Zambia to one focused on employability and future needs. The initiative has active leadership and participation from the Ministry of Technology and Science, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, the International Labour Organisation, and the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) amongst other key stakeholders.
At the conference, Dr. Chileshe will share insights from key education and training initiatives that he has led and contribute to high-level discussions shaping the future of education worldwide.
Commenting on the invitation, Dr. Chileshe said: “I am deeply honoured to be part of a global thought leadership platform shaping the future of education and workforce development. This opportunity allows us to showcase the work being done at MCTC [Mopani Central Training Centre] on a global stage, as we advance our vision of establishing MCTC as a Centre of Excellence aligned with global best practice.”
Since its establishment in 2006, the IFE Conference has served as a premier forum for transformative educational practices with past keynote speakers and panelists including Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, presidents and leaders of globally renowned institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, Georgia Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and other influential universities from around the world.
Dr. Chileshe’s participation places Mopani Copper Mines PLC among the distinguished group of global organisations contributing to thought leadership in education, innovation, and human capital development.
“This international recognition is a testament to Dr. Chileshe’s professional excellence and reflects Mopani’s unwavering commitment to learning, innovation, and sustainable talent development in support of both national priorities and global development goals,” said Mopani Copper Mines PLC Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Charles Sakanya, in congratulating Dr. Chileshe.