NUI Blog - Northrise University Initiative

by Godfrey Mpala

As the saying goes, all work and no play makes John a dull boy.

NU students are striking a fine balance between work and recreation. On an ordinary weekday, one would see students busy moving from one class to another, discussing group topics, and some, buried under a gigantic pile of books. An independent observer would think these students “do not have a life”. But when assignments and enough studies have been done, students take time to engage in recreational activities which not only make them relax but also significantly impact their mental and physical health positively, qualities that are desirable to have as students.

Some of the recreational activities you’ll see students engaged in include: Chess, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer and singing, which currently have the largest following. The students have learnt a vital lesson; performing well in class does not call for one to be a bookworm but requires having an effective balance amongst the different factors that affect their health and mental soundness. We are not all about theories and intricate philosophies but theories and philosophies plus a whole lot of healthy fun!!

by Banji Simasiku

“Let the guest come so that the host or hostess may benefit.” This is an African proverb, which denotes that the guest or visitor brings many blessings for the local people and home. Northrise is always delighted to receive guests. On the 27th of August, Northrise received two more guests who will be with us until late October. These are Mr. Graeme and Dr. Merryl Blair from Australia.

Dr. Merryl Blair volunteered to instruct Northrise’s Bachelor of Theology students in a course, Old Testament Theology, for 6 weeks. Her course objectives are to introduce her students to the Old Testament in the Bible, and to teach specifics such as the Psalms, Prophets, and Odyssey. In her teaching, Dr. Blair hopes to relay how the Old Testament helps us to grapple with our faith. “The Old Testament can be read with an eye about what it wants us to know about God and Jesus,” she said. She is a Lecturer in Old Testament Studies at the Churches of Christ Theological College in Melbourne.

Dr. Blair also revealed that she is learning from both her students and her staying here in Ndola, Zambia. To her, this journey has reaffirmed that “God is indeed the God for the poor, and he gives justice for them.” One of her greatest challenge is seeing how that we, the people of Zambia, live community rather than talk community.

Students have admitted that her teaching style is easy to follow and one in particular greatly appreciates how Dr. Blair takes time to make sure that everybody in the class is on the same page.

Apart from instructing, Dr. Blair has also shared during Chapel on three consecutive Mondays here at Northrise, as she is an ordained minister with the Churches of Christ in Australia. Mr. Blair has also been a great blessing in many countless ways, especially to the Northrise Network team for having helped with re-wiring of the entire computer network at Caravelle House, Northrise University’s current campus location.

The Blairs also had a great opportunity to make a presentation about Ethics at the Human Recourse National Convention under the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management held in Lusaka (the capital city of Zambia). The Convention gathered over 200 Human Resource practitioners from around the country and a few other presenters from neighboring countries like South Africa.

Undeniably, Northrise benefits more and more with each visitor that comes and it is only hoped that the Blairs are just among the many to come and bless us. We wish the Blairs God’s blessings in their lives.

by Kambole Kabwe

Monday is usually the most predictable day of the week here at Northrise University. Students first gather around the chapel area, sharing their weekend experiences and at 8:30am they make their way into Chapel, which usually goes on up to10:00am. Thereafter students attend Lab and other programs of the day.

However, Monday, July 13th 2009 was different from the usual. After Chapel ended, no one vacated the auditorium. Students and staff members alike lingered for the next long awaited program: The Zain Africa Challenge (ZAC) award ceremony. The team of students that had traveled to Kampala, Uganda, for the competition and Northrise University itself were receiving awards.

ZAC, sponsored by Zain (a telecommunications company in Zambia), is an inter-university quiz competition among top African universities, which Northrise was privileged to be a part of. Four of our students, Godfrey Chonde, Kambole Kabwe, kanyanta Mubanga and Nyamachai Chipawa, chosen to represent Northrise University competed and won a double knockout national qualifying tournament in Lusaka. The national qualifying tournament brought together 8 Zambian universities of which four (4) were to qualify and represent their university and Zambia in the ZAC Championship Festival held in Kampala, Uganda, between the 13th and 23rd of February.

This year, 2009, marked the third season of this competition in which Uganda hosted seven other countries in Africa (Zambia, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana). All Universities that participated in ZAC underwent an open and transparent testing to qualify for a spot in both the national qualifying and international tournaments. The international tournament was a knockout challenge in which the Northrise University team was knocked-out by the East Africa Catholic University from Kenya in their first round. The turn of events was a huge disappointment for the team. “Though we did not win the grand prize, having participated helped put Northrise on the map” said Mr. Laston Hamoonga, the Northrise Business Manager, who also accompanied the Northrise team to Uganda as their Liaison.

Months after the team’s return, the Zain representatives were in the school to acknowledge the performance of the team and the university as a whole. And they finally brought the long awaited prizes. Mrs. Mutinta M. Chikola, Zain Zambia acting managing director North, gave a speech in which she indicated that the ZAC initiative was a creative way of giving grants to the universities. And working for it through the challenge would give the recipients a sense of pride and ownership. “This is what we want all universities that take part in the challenge to feel. They worked for it and they deserve it.”

Northrise received a prize of US$5 000 dollars as a University for representing Zambia. The participating students and their coach, Mr. Ngulube, also won a prize of US$500 each. The prize money for the school was to be received in assets to benefit the entire student body instead of cash. It was decided that more computers be bought for the Library and a photocopying machine, all amounting to US$5 000.

In her vote of thanks that Monday morning, Kambole shared her Zain experience with everyone present. She highlighted how she took advantage of the competition to socially interact with others from different African cultures. She added saying, “it was an unconscious way of connecting the future leaders of Africa together.” Kambole also encouraged other Northrise students to be part of this event so that Northrise University can continue being represented internationally.

The ZAC Northrise University Scholars Club continues to grow. Among other benefits, Northrise University students stand a chance to be exposed to different social and cultural experiences. Such experiences help broaden a student’s outlook on life.

by Chibozu

8th September, 2009 will always be a memorable day for the students at Northrise University. It was only a day after Northrise University of Ndola, Zambia, had entered into a partnership agreement with Dordt College of Iowa state in America. Accompanied by Mr. Randy Kroll who is the chairman of the Dordt College board, the president of Dordt College, Dr. Carl E. Zylstra, took time to have an interactive meeting with the students.

He shared with the Northrise students exactly what it meant to partner with Northrise. He said he was excited and happy to be part of a partnership that has been guided by God Himself. He also said that the students should be encouraged and always remember that God himself will see them and Northrise through.

Dr. Zylstra also made mention that the partnership with Northrise University is the first partnership made in Africa. And besides Africa, the college is also partnered with some institutes from Korea, Australia and Mexico. As one of the Northrise students who sat in that interactive and educational meeting, I was happy to learn that Dordt College and Northrise have a common area of understanding: Both are Christian institutions and offer quality education.

The partnership programme also includes an exchange programme where students and faculty from Dordt can come to Northrise to study and teach in a semester and vice versa. Through the meeting I also got to learn of a few challenges that students at Dordt face when they study from other partnering institutes. One of these is learning in a foreign language. However, I realised that challenges are always with us and should not be viewed as obstacles but rather as stepping stones to a valuable destination. Partnering with Dordt will be an experience worthwhile because education is a life time experience.

Northrise University and United States (US) based Dordt University College yesterday signed partnership agreement at the university’s main campus in Ndola.

Northrise University president, Dr. Moffat Zimba said that the partnership agreement was aimed at enhancing the educational experience for both students and professors at the two universities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr Zimba said the deal between his university and the Dordt University College based in the US state of Iowa marked a significant milestone in the road map of Northrise, which is Zambia’s first private university.

“The two universities have agreed to establish a cooperative venture that will provide their respective students and faculty members with the opportunity to meet and learn from each other,” Dr Zimba said.

He said Northrise University signed the agreement with Dordt College because it believed that it represented the best opportunity for building a strong university and a relationship with Dordt College which has been preparing leaders since 1937.

Officiating during the ceremony, deputy Ndola Mayor, John Chanda said the partnership agreement would give Northrise a chance to provide world class education at an affordable cost.

“As the local authority, we are happy with the new deal between the two universities which will culminate in Ndola hosting an ultra modern medical center for the provision of care and support,” Mr Chanda said.

Dordt University College president, Carl Zylstra said he was confident that Northrise would end up being one of Zambia’s top university after partnering with his university under a deal aimed at advancing the spirit of teaching and Christianity

Dr Zylstra said Dordt University started with 35 students 54 years ago in a country which had over 3,000 universities and now it was among US’s top 100 universities as far as offering quality services was concerned.

“Using the same humble beginnings we are witnessing at Northrise University today, Dordt now have over 1,400 full time students and had over the years produced over 14,000 graduates,” he said.

Dordt University College board chairperson, Randy Kroll said the vision of Northrise University was now coming to reality.

He said the partnership would help realize the university’s mission to seek to educate and empower those who wanted to take up leadership challenges and change the world for a better future.

Article from Times of Zambia Newspaper

Date published: September 8th 2009

By Pimpa Simasiku

Everyone was excited and curious to meet the significant guests that Northrise was receiving on the 14th of August. The president of California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly), Dr. Warren Baker, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Carol Baker made their first visit to Zambia and Northrise. Others were Dr. Mary Pederson (CalPoly’s academic dean of the school of Agriculture), Steve Bowie (the current NUI US board chairman) and Alan Smith (2010’s NUI US board chairman). Their mission was common and it was to meet with officials from the Zambian government in order to understand what Zambia’s educational development plan is and how CalPoly can assist. And also how the vision of Northrise University fits into the picture.

On this significant morning, Northrise staff assembled in the boardroom to meet with the guests. The air was jolly as jokes flew around and immediately met with bursts of laughter. The main agenda for the meeting was simply for introduction. Mr. Bowie began by introducing everyone and stated their purpose for coming to Northrise and Zambia. He said that they have always been interested in Zambia’s educational system. He also commended the Northrise staff for the work that they are doing, and that they too wanted to help Northrise achieve its vision and mission in a specific way.

Dr. Baker mentioned how glad he was to know that Zambia’s government recognizes that agriculture is the backbone of the economy. “Advancing in Agriculture”, he said, “enhances an economy greatly because at the moment world hunger is still a huge factor of today’s economy. On a higher level, if world hunger is eliminated, then basic needs are met and then world peace and harmony can easily be achieved.”

Before the meeting with the staff, they’d also met with a few Northrise students and were impressed with what the students had to say about the institute. The students had agreed to the principal of learning by doing and had also welcomed the idea of introducing an agriculture program. “We’re looking forward to developing Northrise to benefit students both at CalPoly and Northrise. We also wish to learn from Northrise as well, not only faculty exchanges but students exchanges as well,” Dr Mary Pederson had stated.

Alan Smith also made mention at how delighted he was to see former students working at Northrise. He has been with Northrise since the beginning of the vision and felt emotional at being a part of something big that God has ordained. He was awed at how much Northrise has achieved in just 5 years of existence which hasn’t been accomplished in other universities in Zambia for 50 years.

And on behalf of the staff at Northrise, Mrs Alice Simutowe, (registrar), Ps Victor Chibangula (instructor) Dr. Chilao Mutesa (academic dean) and Mr. Laston Hamoonga (business manager) made mention at how Northrise made an impact in the lives of all who were a part of it. Alice and Ps. Victor gave testimonies about how they had first heard of Northrise but were sceptical about joining the university. After joining, Alice stated that she was impressed with the integrity to work that all Northrise staff she came in contact with exercised. Now she supports the dream, the vision, and is giving of herself in order to be a part of what Northrise is doing. Ps. Victor ended his testimony by saying that “we have not reached the end yet but we are enjoying the ride towards the end.” He also said that Northrise will be one of the success stories in Zambia let alone Africa. People around the world are going to benefit from the humble people who are contributors to the Northrise dream.

Mr. Hamoonga, who has been a part of Northrise for a long time now, said, “it is a privilege beyond imagination that the president of Calpoly is here visiting us. This is another milestone that has been achieved by Northrise and from here on we are going to move to a higher dimension.”

The brief meeting ended on that note. And the staff went on to continue with their daily work of adding to the excellence that Northrise strives for. Of course, the visitors could not complete their day without paying a visit to the land.

None of us at Northrise had ever met Dr. Warren Baker before apart from Dr. and Mrs. Zimba. He is president of CalPloy University in the USA. His coming to visit Zambia and to pass through Northrise was a truely humbling experience for all of us. Dr. Baker travelled to Zambia to see for himself how far Northrise has come since the first student walked through its doors in 2004. He had an opportunity to meet with some of Northrise’s students on the 14th of August and later met with Northrise staff.

Members of staff gathered in the boardroom and spent some time with Dr. Warren Baker and the people he had travelled with from USA.

by Kambole

A sports club has recently been re-introduced to the Northrise university package, comprising of four sports, namely Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball and believe it or not chess.

This club has a committee and the administrative representatives are Mr. Isaac Banda who stands as the leader, Mr. Rex Mpala in charge of the basketball team, Mr. Suganani Kaira head of Soccer and a student representative for all the sports, Edward Banda.

The Northrise sports club is mainly interested in the students well being and health. “Physical fitness is a very important factor in one’s studies,” said Mr. Banda in an interview. He also pointed that the club was a way of improving social interactions among the students outside academic discussions, as well as being a form of entertainment.

One major challenge is the lack of sports facilities in terms of sports grounds; however, the University has agreements with Zamsure Sports complex in McKenzie and the Adult center along Independence Avenue were students occasionally gather for practice.

One might ask who can take part in this sports club. For a start, it is free for all, and as time goes by, academic performance of students will determine who is eligible for whichever sport. Mr. Banda emphasized on the importance of the school drawing up a write up concerning this rule.
Low GPA no sport ☺

by Andrew

These days, every 3 days in a week, first year students have tutorials in the Algebra, MAT101, course. This was after the Northrise business faculty had proposed tutorials essentially for those students who appeared to be lacking in the course after the mid term examination. All interested students can attend these tutorials because they are aimed at giving students a broader understanding of the course.

At Northrise University, you are not here to fail but to excel, therefore if you have any difficulties in any course whatsoever; lecturers are ready to render their services. These tutorials are carried out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons after class hours and are conducted by Mr. R. Mpala, Mr. G Mpala, and Mr. L. Ngulube.

So far, a good number of students have shown interest in the tutorials, which have been going well. The tutorials will run until the end of the term and hopefully everyone will pass the course and not have to re-take it. Northrise University, “Being Excellent At What Is Good.”