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 ☺
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.”
Dead silence in the library except for the quiet hum of computers, and fingers tapping away at a keyboard and an occasional rustle of turning pages. On the second floor of Caravell house, the human resource management class listens spellbound it seems as Mr. Kaira lectures on Training and Development. A lone student in a classroom on the third floor with nothing but a textbook, calculator, and a messy litter of paper for company, deadly engrossed in study.
On the ground floor, a noisy din as first year students get settled for a group presentation by The Sociologists, a group name for the group of the first year students that was presenting they research on social problems in Zambia. This was the first group presentation in this course on Social Issues scheduled for presentation on Friday the 3rd of July. We decided to stick around despite the nasty looks at the cameras.
It proved an excellent decision as we were treated to a vastly informative discourse on HIV and AIDS from various sociological perspectives – functionalist, interactionist, and conflict perspectives.
This first year group – The Sociologists were obviously well prepared and appropriately wrapped up their presentation by applying Biblical precepts on the issue of HIV and AIDS. The group was composed of three ladies and one gentleman. Gender was obviously not an issue in this composition as the group flowed in harmony with the articulation of their research work.
It was evident the instructor, Pastor Chibangula, did a poor job of trying to appear unimpressed as the group ended their presentation to a hearty round of applause. He was grinning with delight as he shooed his protégés from the lectern.
Mary Mumba, a student in the audience said the following:
“A lot of the points and explanations that have been presented are not in the lectures and so I have gained quite a lot of extra knowledge.”
This confirms how much work the group did in researching and putting their research material together for cohesive delivery to the audience. It also tells us how the first year students have learnt how to research on a topic and not limit themselves to the lecture material. This group ventured out to apply the concepts learnt during lecture time and articulate how the concepts explain the social problem of HIV and AIDS in current times.
Northrise University is truly well on course in achieving its quest to build hope for the future and leaders that can make a change for the next generation.
Dr. Tom Wolthuis arrived in Ndola Zambia on the 20th June 2009. It is his first time visiting Ndola let alone Zambia, Africa. Dr. Tom Wolthuis is a qualified instructor at Dordt College lecturing in the school of Divinity. He is part of the academic exchange program that Northrise University has engaged in with Dordt College. He has traveled from the USA to come and share his knowledge of New Testament Theology to the students at Northrise who are pursuing their degree in Theological studies.
For the next six weeks, Dr Tom, as we have all fondly come to call him partly because his last name is very difficult for most of us to pronounce, will be meeting with students of Theology for three days in a week and they will take a journey in New Testament Theology. Dr. Tom is a man who is keen to share and teach what he knows but more interesting is his eagerness to learn all he can about Africa, Zambia in particular and our way of life. So far he attests that he has had a great time in class and even intimated to Moffat that this is what college teaching should be like. The students are engaging and even though his class runs for only two hours some students have been heard expressing the fact that it would be interesting to run for even three. This is really a thrilling experience for both student and lecturer.
Dr. Tom has been sharing his experience of Africa and Northrise University through his blog and he hopes that the next time he comes over maybe his wife could come along so she can also bless the students with the knowledge she has in IT. Dordt College is fully committed to this newfound partnership with Northrise University and so are we. As we grow as a University so will the academic exchange program.
School seems a little dull and quiet. So I think to myself, is it the cold weather? But then it hits me – it’s that time of the term again! Mid term exams are just around the corner, assignments are pending and there are presentations to get through.
Students are engrossed in their studies and seem almost glued to their computers and books. It’s amazing! While one may dread this period of time, I have come to learn that it helps us get back on track and realize what we are really here for. I must say we don’t look forward to this time of the term, but hey! God always gets us through it.
Students who graduated on the 25 of April 2009 were glad that God had led them to Northrise University to study what He had put on their hearts. They appreciated the fact that Northrise University partners and those who sponsor students, played a cardinal role in their success.
It was no easy road for most of them but through hard work and dedication they have realized a long life dream. Hope is ablaze in their lives ever since they set foot on Northrise.
Being a Library Associate is cooler than most people think. My name is Pimpa Simasiku a graduate of Northrise and now the Associate Librarian. My job involves much more work than most people imagine. During the terms, library work is normal business as usual, but I find that at the beginning and end of every term there is more mental and man power required. Not forgetting a bit of patience, breakfast and lunchJ. I am not complaining, I love it. It is good exercise for me.
Warning: do not forget to say ‘please’ the next time you need the librarian to attend to you.
(25th April, 2009)
The 4th Graduation ceremony was held at the Savoy Hotel in Ndola (right opposite Northrise University). This year it was an extra special event as it was the first cycle of students graduating with degrees.
An occasion for celebration graced with the presence of the Ndola mayor, the event began with a number of praise songs by the choir. After the opening prayer, the academic procession strode in, proudly wearing black gowns and other various pieces of coloured garments that go with the schools they represented. The National Anthem was sung shortly after before anyone took their sit.
Dr Moffat Zimba, the University president, had a difficult time keeping the pride and joy out of his voice (not that he made any obvious attempt to) as he gave his welcome address. He happily pointed out the recent notable achievements of previous graduates who where now making Northrise proud.
He was then joined on stage by Mr David Cheatham and Mrs Doreen Zimba, the vice president of the University, for the certification of the graduates, fourteen in all. Mrs Zimba, positively glowing, then presented the new graduates to the chancellor and all present. Her face continued to beam as a slideshow of all the graduates, which the Master of Ceremonies insisted contained mischievous photographs of student life at Northrise, began to show.
One of the graduates, Mrs. Alice Simutowe, then gave a valedictory address alive with the hurdles and struggles leading up to their achievement. She was quick to thank sponsors, donors and all those who rendered support to Northrise University and made their graduation possible. She was followed by the guest of honour, Mr Dave Cheatham, who gave his address for the occasion. This being his sixth visit to Zambia, he recounted how his journey with Northrise University had started and how his friendship had grown ever since. “All I wanted to do was sign a cheque; I never thought I’d one day be making this speech.” Thes were Mr. Cheatham’s exact words.
An all-smiles affair was aptly ended by an address delivered with a smile that could not have grown any wider. Dr. Zimba again assumed the podium and all but embraced the new graduates in a big collective hug as he addressed them one last time charging them with the duty to be envoys of Northrise University and above all God Almighty.
The future looks bright and the present is already sparkling. The choir led the procession out with another praise song marking the end of the ceremony.
The excitment was overpowering. The joy evident in the face of this mother. Ms Monga is the mother to Banji and Pimpa Simasku, both children where graduating with a degree in Information Technology after four years of study at northrise university. The graduation ceremony was held at the Savoy Hotel in Ndola on the 25 of April 2009. It was an event that honored those who managed to make it through the rigourous and quality enriching Northrise University curriculum.
The beaming face of Ms Monga tells it all. The smile rediates the hope that Northrise is spreading through Ndola and indeed through our country zambia.
My name is Banji, one of the Bachelor of Information Technology graduates from Northrise University (2009). Who would have thought I actually could- (maybe myself at one point or other) – but it sure does feel different from the feeling I thought it would be like.
Graduating gives an awesome feeling that every person should have a chance to experience. As a person, I feel like it has added so much value to my life, and intellectual successes. I feel like a champion.
Studying is not the end for me as I want to have another degree but this time in Buisness Administration. Who knows, I may do more degrees and MBAs.. It gives you the feeling that you have achieved something that most people do not believe you’re capable of achieving. Im an achiever!
