THERE is something truly remarkable about looking back at your university days, those formative years spent chasing knowledge, forging friendships, and discovering your passions.
For many of us, memories of campus life are coloured by a sense of possibility, yet also the challenges of finding a mentour or a guiding hand.
Imagine if college was not just a solo trek, but a journey shared with mentours and peers who believed in you, challenged your ideas, and opened doors. In my own career, starting out in journalism, I often wondered whether things might have taken a different, perhaps brighter, trajectory had I connected with experienced professionals to guide me.
We hear it often now: your network is your net worth. You are only as strong, resilient, and innovative as the community you’re part of. If you ever walked the halls of NUST, lived those varsity years, and built your foundation here, now is the time to return, not just to reminisce, but to reach out. There is a powerful opportunity to shape someone’s future: to share your experience, lend your skills, and give back to the next generation.
This culture of giving is precisely what the institution yearns for — a thriving alumni family, engaged and interconnected. One insight from a colleague, Dr Donald Tapfuma, rings true. “Networks are a powerful resource that I have benefitted from myself. I hope I can have a way to give this back to the ones following after me.” Dr Tapfuma, a scientist with a heart for mentorship, dreams of guiding at least five students, opening the lab doors, sharing resources that so many students struggle to access.
He is not alone. Many NUST alumni are eager to give back, and my message is simple. “It starts now, and it starts with you. By reconnecting and engaging, you create ripples that impact generations.” Think of the moments you struggled, searching for guidance with a project, or wrestling with a decision about your future. What if, in those moments, an alumnus stood beside you, helping you see new possibilities or even connecting you to your first real opportunity?
That level of support could transform more than a career, it could change a life. When alumni reach back, they lift up those who are still finding their way, and in doing so, raise the bar for all. The impact doesn’t stop with individual stories. Each connection forged, each experience shared, adds to the collective momentum of NUST as an institution.
When alumni return and invest their time, expertise, and encouragement, it creates a vibrant cycle of growth and innovation. The influences ripple outward, fuelling new ideas, empowering student initiatives, and
nurturing a culture where excellence becomes contagious. No matter where you are in your career, whether you’re established, just starting out, or navigating a bold pivot, your journey holds lessons waiting to be shared.
Consider the power of just one conversation, a piece of hard-won advice, or a generous introduction. You can help others see further, aim higher, and build a legacy of collaboration and impact that transcends generations. Be the mentor you once needed. To share your journey, your skills, your story, contact Makhosi Nkanyiso Sibanda, the Acting NUST Alumni Relations Manager on
Join the NUST alumni network — because giving back is the culture we build, together.
Remember, at NUST we always THINK IN OTHER TERMS.
Follow this link to join the NUST alumni: https://www.nust.ac.zw/index.php/joining-us.html
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