March 23, 2026

NDOLA, ZAMBIA — March 23, 2026 — Northrise University and the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand access to affordable higher education for Zambian students.

This collaboration establishes a Student Loan and Partial Scholarship Sub-Fund for students in Engineering, Nursing, Computer Science, and IT. It marks the first structured student financing partnership between HELSB and a private university in Zambia, creating a vital bridge for academically qualified but financially disadvantaged students.

Under the agreement, HELSB will serve as Fund Manager and Custodian, overseeing the administration and recovery of loans. Northrise University will provide the initial seed funds while selection of students and academic monitoring will be done via an advisory committee as per MoU.

HELSB CEO, Dr. John Machayi, described the agreement as a historic milestone. “This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring higher education is based on potential rather than financial means,” he stated. “By expanding financing with private institutions, we are strengthening national capacity in critical technical fields.”

The Vice Chancellor Dr. Lameck Mwewa added that the partnership expands the existing Northrise Financial Aid Programme (NFAP), which has already supported over 3,000 students. “This MoU opens doors for many more capable students who would otherwise be unable to access quality education,” Dr. Mwewa said.

Key Features:
Provides affordable loans and partial scholarships for full-time undergraduates.
Prioritizes female students studying at Northrise University and those from under-served areas.
Operates as a sustainable revolving fund covering tuition and essential costs.

This pioneering model serves as a blueprint for future public-private partnerships aimed at national development through equitable education.