THE Zambian Open University Student Union (ZAOUSU) Executive has set aside thirty thousand Zambian kwacha (K30, 000) in its January to June, 2019 Budget as part of the student revolving fund that provide interest-free loans to ZAOU Students.
The Student Revolving Fund was initially set up by individual donations by members of the Union amounting to K13, 000. During the 2018 Second Semester, 10 students applied for small interest-free loans amounting to a total of K26, 050 from which 5 students were awarded the loans. The Union is in the process of recovering the loans that were awarded to the students.
Meanwhile, nominated Member of Parliament, Honourable Raphael Nakachinda, during the 2018 Fines Arts Expo organised by students from the School of Fine Arts and co-financed by contributions from both the Students Union and Students of Fine Arts, further pledged to contribute towards the Student Revolving Fund.
While ZAOUSU will continue to advocate for government to extend the provision of student loans and scholarships to students in all universities and colleges around the country, the Union believe students, members of the public and the private sector must continue to generate initiatives that remove over-reliance on government alone in financing of higher education. The Union is looking forward to a time when the private sector such as banks will partner with us to increase the amount of funds available for the student revolving fund.
The ZAOUSU Executive also approved the construction of the Students Union website which will have an interactive forum where students will interact, provide information on how students and the public can contribute towards the student revolving fund, provides links for downloading application forms as well as online submission of applications for interest-free student loans.
The University Union leaders are this week attending the Zambia University Sports Association (ZUSA) Annual General Meeting in Samfya, Luapula Province.
This is how students unions must behave. Not all time demanding BCs without coming up with initiatives. Big up guys.
About 1,000 out of 30,000 UNZA students who applied for govt students loans were awarded same yet govt spend billion of kwachas on activities that fatten their pockets. Less priority to funding education. Anyway big up zaou. I see more UNZA students trekking to register with zaou
ZAOU Union has expressed good leadership since it’s election into office but university has real issues with managing examination results and assignments for students. So those thinking of leaving UNZA better think twice.
Yeah but at least these guys are setting standards. Zaou boss was honoured by President Lungu last year because of being visionary. I see these zaou students becoming so key in national leadership too
God Bless the students union and ZAOU. You colleagues are showing real care for fellow students. Nakacinda also has heart for students. Bless u sir.
ZAOU is shaping what student leadership ought to look like. Students must never be foes with govt or varsity authorities but must provide solutions to challenges affecting students and their universities rathern than just becoming problems. One lesson also is that Union leadership is not having useless titles of ministers, prime minister, etc as is case with unza but having brainy characters who are solution oriented. Am ready to donate to this ZAOU student fund when website is setup. You guys have done well in marketing ZAOU.
Good initiatives by the students rather than advocating for unnecessary riots over the delays by Government to pay students’ bursaries. This is good leadership skills that endeavour to compliments Government efforts in trying to make vulnerable and needy students access good educational standards.
“Never believe that a few people can’t change the world. For indeed, that’s all who ever have.” Even for few lives u folks touch, know u changing the narrative of someone’s world. we can help u build the website for free
Comment: We are greatly humbled with your gesture. We are however asking for your contacts and on how we can locate you. You can contact me on behalf of the union on
Cell : +260 968212476
Email : [email protected]
Approach Bowman Lusambo. He is very generous man and am sure he would love to contribute to such initiatives. Nakacinda also has a good heart. Am impressed that from 13,000 now u guys are at 30,000. God bless your efforts. Hope students repay these loans. More must benefit.
Thumbs up guys you are doing your best to lessen the pressure on the already heavily taxed citizens to assist those in school.
Take a second look at how much these politicians scoop without shame from government coffers. Talk of that entourage to states with maids and house boys. How much was that. Can it compare to K30,000. NO. Thats how selfish and greedy these politicians can be. Out of say 30,000 only 1,0000 got help from government to further their education and we still have people buying presidential jets as if the challenger has stopped flying.
These guys will be punished big time in hell. Everlasting fire. Meantime enjoy and let us suffer!!! Mwapya!!!
Disaster!!!!
Well said, there is a lot of money in govt which UNZA and CBU students know. So we have a right to BC. If ZAOU decides to give interest free loans, thats commendable but it’s their own business.
You have made a difference colleagues in flying the colours of your varsity high. This is humbling leadership and don’t doubt most of our kid will want to come to ZAOU
This is a great initiative but why run an interest free loan? Ask student to pay a small interest so that the fund does not always depend on hand outs. Let it grow even with bare minimum.
Its marvellous to have forward – thinking students like ones at ZAOU. If all student unions were like that, I think govt would even be more encouraged to invest more. keep up guys but deal with problems with results and poor services your students always complain of.
Great works guys, proud of your contribution to financing education. Your University must be proud of u too
Loans should be granted to all students who want to apply because it will be recovered later when they start to work . Period. Nothing special about these loans, mind you there is what they call bad debts, so expect anything.