NUI Blog - Northrise University Initiative

by Agness Nshindano

The Northrise University team called Zed Bionic have won the  VENTURECOMP 2010 K100 Million Business Plan competition.  Lyle Doogan, Ignitius Chella, Choongo Hamoonga, Chisanga Bwalya and Phenias Shamuzumba are the new millionaires in the town of Ndola.

It was an exhilarating moment for students to hear the announcement that ” VentureComp 2010  Winner is…Zed Bionic of Northrise University Ndola!!!” What an achievement!!! What a business plan!!!

And Northrise University president, Dr. Moffat Zimba is very excited about the development and wishes to commend the student of Northrise for their hard work and commitment to excellence. The passion for Northrise  is to see lives changed and students empowered and such is the evidence of its effort.

Look out for the interviews with the winners, some stakeholders and the president of Northrise.

Arising Life Minitries for ophaned and vulnerable children counselling and empowerment centre  was opened on 2nd July 2009 and has since been under Northrise University (NU) outreach. Mrs. Joyce Chimbila, a Northrise University student runs this centre.

As part of its mission, the center cares for up to thirty-five (35) children. It provides them with basic education beginning at first grade to seventh grade. Most of these children are orphans coming from homes that live on less than a dollar a day. Upon receiving this basic education, these children are able to read, write and communicate using English. For those that perform well, the center  tries to place them in high school and offer financial support in any way possible.

Through various projects, the centre has made tremendous strides in improving the premises, making it more habitable and comfortable for these children. A recent project that has added value to both the center and the local community is sinking of a borehole. This borehole was sunk by Seeds of Hope to ease the problem of water supply.  A wall fence is also being erected to improve security of the premises.

The joys of Mrs. Chimbila were visible as she showcased the new holders for the florescent lighting to the centre and the complete rooms, notably the kitchen, which only has the electrical connection and a stove left.

by Chibozu Maambo

During the month of April, it was announced that Inter-Market Bank is holding a venture competition. This ongoing competition requires teams from diverse institutes to each come up with a viable business plan that is innovative and can be of help to the economy of the nation, Zambia. The whole idea behind the competition is to empower youths from Universities and Colleges with resources to develop innovations that can help create employment opportunities.

The Zed Bionic of Northrise University is part and parcel of the competition. This team of five comprises 4th year Business Administration students namely Lyle Doogan, Ignitius Chella, Choongo Hamoonga, Chisanga Bwalya and Phenias . Zed Bionic’s business plan is about manufacturing organic fertilizer from treated human waste. They were driven to find an innovative idea that would help in sustaining the agriculture industry and promote eco-friendliness. Their target market would be the local and small scale farmers especially those that grow vegetables and bananas.

84 Teams submitted their Executive Summaries and out of that lot only 10 were selected to move on to the next round. The 10 teams were then asked to hand in their business plans. After careful analysis of the plans, the teams were cut down to 4 with Northrise University’s Zed Bionic soldiering on. These four teams are expected to make their final presentations before the judges on 16th July 2010 in Lusaka. Among others, the Bank of Zambia Governor, Dr. Caleb Fundanga, will be gracing the occasion and the announcement of the winning team will be made in the evening of the same day. The winning team will walk away with a sum of ZMK108, 000,000 to start their business. This prize is a loan that will attract concessionary interest terms.

As part of evaluation, last week the teams were given 5 Million Zambian Kwacha each and asked to make an investment in a period of 10 days. Each team will be awarded points according to the returns on investment.

In an interview, Chisanga Bwalya, the only lady on the team said that this is a great venture and who knows it could be the ticket to her life long dream of starting a business. “What an opportunity!” she said.  When asked if she really wanted to win this, she merrily said, “Who wouldn’t want to win a 100 Million Kwacha. Dah!  We will keep our fingers crossed and prepare adequately”

Northrise University is proud of these students, their hard work and dedication has indeed brought them thus far. Through this business plan, they have demonstrated that there is a better way to farm, which is economically viable and environmentally sustainable.  Northrise University will continue to support students and initiatives designed to uplift the general living standards of society.

by Getrude Mashano

Northrise Eagles in action….

Apart from the handful of women who actually play Soccer and the minority that are dedicated to cultivating similar interests as their spouses, soccer for most women is always last on their interest list; I wonder though that it even makes the list. Personally, a dreadful moment would ideally be a room with wall-to-wall screens and the repetitive chants of enthused soccer fanatics.

On the other hand, my daily conversations, the fashion industry and news all drone on about this sport of grown men all chasing a ball like their lives depend on it. What is it with this sport then? Well, coming to think of it,  soccer does bring some good to the world. For example, it doesn’t hurt that this year’s World cup is being held in Africa, a continent known to be the poorest in the world but rich in natural resources.  For most Africans, this event has not only been viewed as a once in a lifetime opportunity but additionally a symbol of hope. A reaffirmation that Africans have great potential and most importantly that the sky is the limit!

The new generation of Africans and Zambians in particular is composed of young and brilliant innovative thinkers who are daily making the most of their environment. Certainly, Northrise University students are not limited by their circumstances nor environment. They are dreamers and like all real dreamers know…when you dream, you should always dream big! And the biggest of all dreams is to change a Nation by first being changed. I love asking students what they are going to do with their changed lives after attaining their degrees. And let me tell you, I never walk away disappointed…