Zambia’s Republican President Edgar Lungu has disclosed that he is personally thrilled that students from Zambian Open University, through their Students’ Union, have embraced Government’s message to transform into a Smart Zambia as evidenced by the launch of Zambia’s first ever students’ Union dynamic website which will contribute to the goals outlined by the President on 18th December, 2015.
In a message delivered during the launch of the launch of the Zambian Open University (ZAOU) Smart Zambia Students’ Project on 1st March, 2019, Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, disclosed that Government supports the web-managed Student Revolving Fund that provides for small interest-free loans to vulnerable students as it is aimed at adopting a new paradigm to resolving students’ current and future challenges when it comes to mobilisation of funds and administration of grants.
“What is encouraging is that while other students have assumed that Government must solely be responsible for providing for their meal allowances and other monetary support, the launch of this feature will allow students, businesses, and members of the public, institutions within and outside Zambia to donate towards the Revolving Fund, which we must say is a brilliant initiative,” he said.
Government also noted the new electronic voting feature on the launched website. Mr. Kasolo said Government was aware that ZAOU Students Union will launch the first ever electronic voting for students that will enable all students to exercise their right to franchise and reduce on the low voter turn-out.
“Government is aware that democracy must begin to be practised from a tender age, from primary schools, secondary schools to university level. Once people begin to appreciate the essence of voting and putting in place a leadership that speaks to their interests, we shall develop a culture where citizens will take the national voting seriously,” said Mr. Kasolo.
Mr. Kasolo also disclosed that Government is pleased to note that Zambian students are getting involved in the country’s common vision for a Smart Zambia by leaving the past behind and embracing the positive attitudes in all their endeavours.
“Government is calling upon students countrywide to become more determined to changing the way we do things, behave and do things. The behaviour of a past student was one which hinged on being on the receiving end, in engaging in senseless and politically driven demonstrations but Government wants our students who will become more innovative and provide solutions as demonstrated by what the ZAOU Students Union has visibly been doing the last one year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambian Open University Students’ Union President Sam Mazaka says the ZAOU Students Unions is resolved to begin using ICT to promote learning, mobilise finances to help students who are marginalised by way of provision of small interest-free loans. Mr. Mazaka adds that the project will enable students to hand in assignments and allow students to vote for union leaders electronically in the next two few months when the functionality and security of the web-platform is tested.
Yes I meant this Kasolo should have taken over as Cabinet Minister.
Mwabombeni ba Kasolo. This is interaction Govt leaders should be seen to be doing representing the President and interacting with citizens. our ministers are all sleeping when it’s them who re politicians.
Ministers are busy with projects where they can cut deals. So u don’t expect them to interact on things dat don’t put money in their pockets.
Kasolo is hardworking. More hardworking than most of these ministers. Wish he was minister too. Congrats ZAOU
Congratulations ZAOU students this is the way to go.
This is more reason why we are saying that students’ loans should be extended to private varsities as well. ZAOU has continued showcasing that its students are also capable. We are grateful to boma for having sponsored some teachers to ZAOU on fast track programmes. It shows that ZAOU is highly recognized. This is the beauty of liberalized systems. l was a member of ZAOU student union during my under and post graduate stages.
Please dude stop that student loan stuff in a country with very high unemployment. It’s bound to fail and you might end up losing people you educated to other nations as they try to escape paying. This government needs to prioritize education like the way Kaunda did for us to be competitive. Education is an investment that offers many rewards and many in government today benefited from KK’s free education.
They will repay the loan when their incomes go beyond a certain threshold per annum, other than that no repayments will be made.
Shockingly some ego centric Former UNZA students and current think that big brains are only found at UNZA and CBU. Shame on you. What projects can you talk about associated to UNZA and CBU students? Students at UNZA and CBU are only good at UKUNYA AMASUSHI to through stones and destroying public property. Shame. Eel done ZAOU
ZAOU students have set standards for how university students must think and behave. Am highly impressed. You ve flown the ZAOU flag to the highest standard
Unza and cbu are above that only that they don’t blow there own trumpet,wounders have been done these unversities namely unza and cbu nowounder u see Zambia developing ,talk of engineering it’s is unza , cbu and nortec so don’t be blind folded by that small project which is just a copy and paste .know where you coming from Zambia is Zambia because of unza and cbu and nortec
hats off to zaou. for Unza and CBU, we know them for talking of BC. we must give credit to unions when its due. warranist revolution has failed. Warranism elections symbolises the thinking of all voters at UNZA.
Congrats ???????? ZAOU
Am deeply impressed with Zambia Open students. Fellas are hardworking and done good for fellow students and building image of University. UNZASU and COBUSU. You need organise learning meetings from these guys
ZAOU impresses me. students are forward looking and solution oriented. Now I don’t regret having gone to ZAOU. Union has put us on world map!
FOLKS U VE MADE A DIFFERENCE WITH OUR UNION. TROUBLE IS MANAGEMENT AND THOZ SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT US STUDENTS RE SLEEPING. ZAOU MANAGERS LOVE MEETINGS THAN THEY LOVE LISTENING 2 OWN STUDENTS AND SOLVING PROBLEMS. MY SCHOOL GOT NO RESULTS FOR LAST SEMESTER TILL NOW. I THINK HEA MUST SEE WHETHER WE CAPABLE OF DELIVERING AGRIC STUDIES
ZAOU has failed to run an Agric school. Me think most staff employed just enjoy being in office. Dont realise can’t ve university or offices without students
Enafu respect to ZAOU students. not easy to get attention of this govt!
President Lungu is a good man. Fact he could recognise students means he has priorities well for the youth of the country.
ZAOU iz 1 of oldest private university but lacks staff committed to real transformation. Institutions wher evry staff wants personal office space don’t deliver, u purchase CHAZ hse nd fo months on end, offices remain unoccupied. Vision iz lackg