Saving the University of Zimbabwe

The timely stance adopted by the committee of trustees to raise funds for, and revive, the University of Zimbabwe is a noble cause that is well applauded by many of the UZ alumni. I sincerely believe this move will breathe in a fresh and promising life while re-shaping our challenged institution to prepare it for current global standards. I also take this opportunity to acknowledge and salute all the men and women whose skills, efforts and dedication have been aligned in launching this august project. While I am not acquainted with the fine details of the tabled fundraising agenda, let alone the steps covered to date, I stand to be corrected for my few propositions that I am tendering for consideration as noted below:

UZ Alumni Relations Office

1. Set up a permanent desk for Director of Alumni Relations in the UZ administration building or in the city to enable access by stakeholders. Such an office could employ a few hands on full time basis to:

    -Compile statistics about UZ graduates worldwide

    -Develop a database & gather contact details for all ex-UZ students: Email, postal, phone contacts etc.

    -Share achievements by ex-UZ students worldwide

    -Share requested alumni information that includes years attended, qualifications obtained

    -Develop a database for professional services or products by ventures of UZ alumni

    -Develop a link for promoting products and services offered by alumni members

With such an office the Director of Alumni relations can easily connect with former students, appeal for aid and resources, keep stakeholders updated on progress, challenges, needs and achievements.

2. U.Z souvenirs/ Regalia Store Online

Launch stores in the city, on campus and online that sell U.Z through quality products. Float a tender and engage reputable outfit designers to come up with decent but colorful UZ regalia that includes T-shirts, tracksuits, baseball caps, bandanas, key-holders, car number plate holders, bumper stickers and various other items that are of great quality which actually competes with other items on contemporary markets. These items should have logos, themes and messages that generate pride, dignity and interest in U.Z. Just think of Cambridge, Yale or Harvard regalia online. The designers should also cater for all ages and sizes. Previously, UZ regalia have only catered for adults.

3. U.Z Magazine

There is need for an intriguingly decent and colorful college magazine to match global college standards. Such a magazine can attract subscriptions from alumni and various other interested stakeholders and should cover major aspects involving college life. Aspects tackled may include the following:

    -Graduation events

    -Opinions/ Papers/ Journal articles/ Interesting Investigations

    -Scientific and Research accomplishments

    -Important dates and events

    -Artists and Celebrities visiting campus to deliver speeches

    -U.Z Community events

    -Professors/ Students achievements including publications and inventions

    -Sporting events and training sessions

    -Notable achievements for the year

    -Subscriber contributions, articles, poetry

    -Valedictory speeches

    -Brief U.Z history,- a flashback from where the college stands

    -Women leaders

    -Politics

4. U.Z Daily/ Small Radio Station

Launch a small community monthly newspaper or campus radio that becomes an interactive platform to discuss various issues like:

    -Needs

    -Challenges

    -Complaints

    -Security on campus

    -Lost and Found items

    -Academic Life

    -Upcoming events

5. U.Z. Website

The current U.Z website will need to be re-visited and re-designed for an upgrade to cope with market dynamics. There should be more options and services that can be available including room for the following features:

    -Updates on important dates and events

    -Online academic transcript requests that generate income for services (subject to authentic data about the student)

    -Advertisements from sponsors, stakeholders and any other interested parties

    -Careers: student admissions forms, lecturer positions, non-academic staff

    -Important calendar events

    -Vice-Chancellor's messages

6. U.Z. Press

Given the number of products by UZ alumni, the University of Zimbabwe press should take one more step and launch a full time publishing business that enables it to publish textbooks, journals, works by independent authors and various other works.

7. Sports

College sports could be seriously re-considered as a way to generate funds through any of the following:

    -Event fees from intercollegiate sporting activities like soccer and rugby

    -Commercials on TV and Radio

    -Vending fees on foods, drinks and various supporting features

    -Sports regalia

    -Coverage fees

8. Interaction or association with other regional colleges

This could be an opportunity to make a name in the region and market products, works and performances. Such a name is made through:

    -Sports interaction

    -Contests in given fields that include

i) Project management skills,

ii)  Moot contests

iii) Research and design

iv) Inventions

9. Community Service

It's about time U.Z students seriously consider serving in, or giving back to, their communities as they demonstrate the practical aspects of what they are studying and researching. The best way is for the students to serve as teams. Such service may include:

    -Field work to motivating school kids and communities (All professions including: Teachers, Accountants, Lawyers, Journalists, Engineers, Doctors, Business, Nurse etc )

    -Explaining the role of UZ products and their impact to the communities

    -Building partnerships with communities

    -Helping the community re-consider some environmental practices and resource conservation

10. Documentary

Have some professional film production company work on a U.Z documentary that briefly details the exciting history of the college and all its achievements including past leaders, programs, expansion events up to where the college stands right now. Target some of the global accomplishments by U.Z products including research and inventions. Inspire and motivate community leaders to want to associate with the college and support it financially. This documentary could be aired on national TV stations as well as regional stations as a PR campaign.

11. Corporate Social Responsibility

Zimbabwean companies that do business with the UZ or who have leaders that belong to the UZ alumni could be politely asked or challenged to contribute to the UZ cause. Such a drive could make the UZ alumni more attentive to or considerate about UZ issues. This CSR campaign could be launched through the media. Daily appeals on needed funds and resources could reach many corners of society and make a change. Such companies that perform pragmatic CSR moves should be legislatively granted lucrative tax breaks to create an advantage on both ends.

12. Naming Buildings

Buildings with numbered or neutral names could be re-named for agreed terms to make money. Some lecture theaters, libraries, halls of residence and the Great Hall could be placed on a list for potential sponsors to pay and have their names spotted on the buildings. Such a naming could be on limited duration or for a lifetime depending on how much the sponsor opts to settle for. A buildings committee could design contracts stating conditions and various other factors that must be considered. This is a decent and plausible way to raise college funds and the naming of a building comes with decent figures that can potentially rake in millions of dollars.

13. Accountability

The best stimulant for stakeholders to keep donations flowing in is through maintaining open books of account. Donors will need to get evidence and satisfaction of where their money is going. If the funds are not properly accounted for, all potential donors may be dissuaded from donating. A strong drive on ethics and compliance will address this issue. Received funds should be openly acknowledged, recorded and reported, intended purposes properly debated and agreed to by vote, tender procedures properly followed and projects management properly accounted for. Such a transparent move will re-ignite our U.Z.

Tapiwa Kapurura is a product of the U.Z. He writes in his personal capacity.

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