Following an appeal by the Government for private sector players to participate in improving student accommodation at the university, Barclays Bank Zambia took up the cause in early January 2008. Barclays made a commitment of K3.2 billion (£457,000) towards the construction of a student hostel. The University of Zambia management opted to construct a hostel at the Medical School which is equally facing a shortage of space given the increase in enrollment numbers for medical students as the government is working towards improving the doctor-patient ratio in the country.

Works were completed in mid 2010 and the hostel officially handed over to the University of Zambia in October 2010. The ceremony was commissioned by Education Minister Hon Dora Siliya. The 30-roomed hostel houses more than 60 students, which is closer to the number of yearly enrolments at the medical school.