DRAFT EXAM TIMETABLE WAKES UP 

STUDENTS

STUDENTS IN AN EXAM

Feel like there is something scary lurking around the corner, and you have no way to escape? Is your pulse pounding, your brow sweating and your brain freaking out? No, you aren’t walking through one of those super creepy grave yard or haunted houses … it’s second semester exam time.

Usually students are relaxed until they hear that exams are around the corner. This time the time table came out earlier than what any student expected. This timetable has made everyone wake up and all night studies are beginning to be common on campus. Does this mean to say students don't study when the time table is not yet out?

With second-semester exams just a few weeks away, most students are going around asking for notes from counterparts to avoid having to study from their own PDF files which would have been downloaded from the internet during the course of the semester ."Zero nights" as students call them have become a common phenomenon with some students leaving campus around 4am the next morning.

For many college students, second semester exams are the stuff of nightmares. Students at NUST talk of the exam experience as the ceremonial Hell experience. However, these problems are often caused by

Last minute cramming. Not only are you unlikely to actually retain much of the last minute info you cram, but also staying up late the night before studying often leads many college students to then oversleep.

Worrying too much. Even if the worst happens and you bomb the exam, there are always finals to help get you back on track.

IMPROVE SECURITY FOR  STUDENTS

NUST students who reside in Matsheumhlope Killarnery, Sunning Hill and surrounding suburbs in Bulawayo have continually been exposed to a group of thugs and armed robbers who have been on the rampage since last year.

Cases of armed robberies are on the increase and students fear that the number of robberies which have dramatically increased since November last year will continually go unchecked.

The robbers and thugs have targeted students as they often have gadgets such as laptops, iPads, smart phones and many other valuable electronic gadgets.

Emmanuel Choga a final year student at NUST said, “It seems they are targeting us students from NUST because parallel students knock off at 8 pm when it’s already dark and others go for zero nights and come home around 2 am, especially final year students who are working on their projects.”

Recently cases of robberies and rape have risen as some students have either lost their lives or ended up being hospitalized.

Last year in October female NUST students living at 30 Chelmsford road were attacked by axe-wielding thugs who demanded laptops and iPads. One student was injured, two laptops and a smart phone were lost that night.

“We are living in fear because we feel we are no longer safe, imagine if people can break in just like that” said Primrose who resides in Matshemlope.

Most of these robberies are taking place in secluded areas at night. There student are advised not walk alone at night especially female students.

As a concerned student I implore NUST security personnel and the Student Representative Council (SRC) to work with the ZRP to bring these thugs to book.

Recently, at a student leader’s workshop at Rainbow towers Hotel, NUST head of security Mr Banda said they have since engaged the police and there are patrols in the suburbs surrounding NUST. He further noted that they have engaged police to establish a station at Bob’s Service Station near NUST, however this is only a strategy in the pipeline.

However, it is prudent for NUST security as well as the SRC to prioritize student safety and do much more than they are doing now such as establish a neighborhood watch, conduct safety awareness campaigns for students and improve communication between students and the security personnel.

Instead of prioritizing gigs and trivial functions it is important to be safe first before luxuries.

NUST CONDUCTS A STUDENT LEADERS WORKSHOP

NUST

The National University of Science & Technology in collaboration with corporate 24 held a Student leaders Workshop at Rainbow Hotel in January. The workshop had an enthusiastic attendance by over 40 students from the National University of Science & Technology as well Student leaders from other Universities such as Chinhoyi University of Technology and University of Zimbabwe.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop leadership skills among student leaders as well as orienting the newly elected Student Representative Council. Among the topics discussed were Developing your leadership Capacity building, Personal leadership, effective communication Giving effective feedback and Resolving conflict only to mention a few.

This was a commendable move in the right direction as students got a chance to participate in the running of affairs of the institution as well as contribute meaningfully to the development of the institution.

Among the invited guest was the Chinhoyi University of Technology Dean of Students Mr. Gordon Dzoro. Mr Dzoro applauded the development that NUST had made and encouraged that workshops of this nature should continue.

Mr Dzoro spoke at length about quality assurance and how they have managed to do so at CUT. He share extensively ideas on how to improve communication between the students and the administration and how it was vital in maintaining quality assurance.

The newly appointed Dean of students at NUST Dr Kamusoko was also introduced given a chance to speak “Students Affairs fundamentally exists to assist the University to achieve its mandate through promoting the welfare of students; i.e physically, psychologically, spiritually and socially. Through its various, sections, Student Affairs facilitates the learning and development of students outside the lecture room. Students are imparted with skills which promote affective outcomes such as leadership, self-actualization, self awareness, citizenship, tolerance, self-direction, honesty, and social responsibility,”Dr Kamusoko said.

This was a starting point for most students. This exciting workshop engaged students to find the most innovative solutions to solve student’s prioritized concerns. It gave the Student leaders an opportunity to engage in exciting discussions with the members of staff. 

The goal for the workshop was to equip students with successful leadership skills and to maintain quality assurance.

SOCIAL SCENES

Students discussing assignments

Students attend a lecture in the computer lab

Students donating blood

Students donating blood

Lunch hour students line up for food at Natto

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE DECAY?

Broken door with missing glass panes

In a statement posted on Facebook, a former NUST student Rodwell Tendai Nyika said

“As a certified apostle for student emancipation from the yoke of all forms of repression, oppression and academic slavery I was highly besotted to note some empty riposte which was vomited by our former President Luckie Shingi Muza in his capacity as a self-appointed political referee,the co-accused and a supposed hired highly paid human manure cleaner for his for blindfolded former disciple Mark Mubvumba”

His statements sheds light on one of the key bodies or individuals that are at the core of decay in tertiary institutions. The Student Representative Council (SRC) is to blame for most if not all the problems that students face because they don’t live up to their manifestos.

Often the body is riddled by corrupt and power hungry students who don’t have students concerns at heart, all they care about is amassing wealth from misappropriated student funds.

Unrepaired broken windows

The body has constantly been known for abusing funds, “browning” using student funds as well as exploitation of most female students who flock in their numbers wanting a fair share of the “loot”.

This has resulted in the state of the institution deteriorating to a point where it no longer inspire confidence in students. The shabby exterior and interior with broken dysfunctional equipment and leaking pipes has become a common phenomenon at our institution.

 The lecture rooms and theatres are epitomizing the decline of this country's once proud education system, food for thought.

NUST, touted as the Jewel of the country, is slowly acquiring a reputation of the sick man within the vicinity of campus boundaries, at this pace the institution will acquire peculiar inability to get itself out of often self-inflicted difficulties

unrepaired windows

If one is to look at who is to blame for all this this decay it all comes back to a bunch of individuals who have been mandated to represent students but have since retired into the Student Affairs offices where they plan to “squander”

However, what should be done?

• Introduce an all-inclusive administrative method of solving student’s prioritized concerns, especially pertaining to the issue of registration and admission into exams. I want to establish a body that acknowledges that the SRC is a platform for all students and not a podium for a select few. 

• Address all accommodation woes faced by students living outside campus.

• Bring out dynamic entertainment and recreational activities at all levels. I will ensure that there is fair representation on entertainment and recreational activities, especially in dealing with secular entrainment and Christian entertainment.

• Ensure that there is freedom of worship, that there are designated places for worship which will not be disturbed under any circumstance.

• Ensure that there is improved security for students living outside campus.

• Make sure that there is an improved network infrastructure which is not only at the service of the administration but also the students.

• Being visible on the ground and working from a Grass root level whilst also pushing student driven policies at top level. The SRC should be dedicated to building student capacity in all areas

• Provide transparent governance to all students .I understand that students are the heart of the university and I am committed to tackling fundamental student issues whilst representing all student voices.

If these minor problems are addressed properly it leaves room for the body to focus on more important issues

"CALEMAN" A RISING STAR

Caleb Shoko aka Caleman at NUST studio.

The music scene has once again found a diamond in the rough as up and coming rising star Caleman has steadily begun his claim to fame.

The artist and songwriter, Caleb Shoko exploded onto the scene in early 2012 and has made it clear that he has no plans on leaving.

He is only 21 years old but a brilliant singer and a student at the National University of Science and Technology, Caleb Shoko better known as “Caleman” has already done enough to suggest he can knock on the door of the competitive Reggae scene and demand a seat at the table.

 He went from a little known talent posting covers on Facebook to a rising Reggae star sharing the stage at NUST with Sniper Storm, Souljah love and Winky Dee.

His first studio encounter was in 2012 after finishing A'level however he had been a singer since the age of 10.

"I first discovered my talent at the age of 10 when i sang at school in the choir and i was nominated the best..."

In 2013 the rising star featured on his first  Street Riddim in which Afrimune nominated his song "Love is not a sin" the best hit song out of 21 artists who performed and the artist was featured in the country's biggest newspaper The Herald.

The Hillside based singer has shown that he has potential in the music industry if his talent is to be natured.

The young singer made frequent live performances on the stage and has tried to record his music but the main challenge is always the fact that most producers demanded money upfront even though the big artists recorded for free.

Among Caleman's hit songs are “Love is not a sin”, “stop calling me there”, “this is the way i live”, to name just a few.

He has collaborated with many upcoming and established artistes including legend Elly Potato.

As of now the artist is working on an album titled  "Art for art's sake" to be produced at Velocity Studios and is also working a remix with an established Uburn Grooves artist Trevor Dongo.

"watchout for my new album it is going to rock the music industry."

trial run

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