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