The Vice-Chancellor Rev. Prof. Godfrey Nguru who is on a trip to US sends greetings to all members of Daystar University. The Infospot can report that the VC has had successful meetings with friends and Partners including churches in Minneapolis areas of Tennessee and Florida. He has also had fruitful meetings with Golfer Sport, Northwest Radio, Outreach Foundation, American Family Radio and Buildings without Borders. He also has met with Presidents of Bethel College and Northwestern College as well as the former President of Messiah College.

Let us continue praying for him as he continues offering essential services to God’s people in Daystar University and the communities/countries they represent.

Part Time Lecturers Fellowship

There will be a fellowship for part time lecturers on 20th April 2005 in lecture room 4, in Nairobi Campus starting at 4.00 p.m to 5.20 p.m. A speaker from Life Ministry has been invited. Prepare for this day as we look forward to the fellowship. Refreshments will be served.

Open Day

The Corporate Affairs Department will hold two open days at K.I.C.C on Friday 15th and 16th April 2005. The endeavor is to physically take Daystar close to the people. Potential students will be registered on site and career counseling given to those interested. The Registrar’s Department will also be involved during these two days.

Fun Day

The Students’ Government is inviting all students to take part in this year’s FUN DAY, which will take place on Saturday, 16th April 2005 at a surprise venue. The theme of this year’s fun day is ‘Viva La Fiesta’. There will be games such as: kati, rounda, amateur football (ladies and men), tug of war, eating competition and many more. The buses will leave Athi-River Campus at  8:00am. Day scholars will catch the buses at 9:00am in Valley- Road. All Daystar students are invited.

DUPA Gives Input

Prof. Faith Nguru the Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee presented a draft of the plan to the DUPA Executive Committee recently. Members promised to provide written feedback. Other stakeholders who have not yet responded should submit their input by Wednesday 20th April 2005.

Regional Training Programme Activities

The Regional Training Programme in environmental Journalism held a successful monitoring and evaluation workshop at Gracia Guest House on Saturday 9th April 2005. Participants from previous training workshops presented data on the environmental activities that they had carried out so far. Many of them had embarked on communication projects, features writing and video production. They were thankful to Daystar University for its facilitative role. 

Media Owners/Practioners Networking Breakfast

The Regional Training Programme in environmental Journalism hosted a media owners/Practioners breakfast at the Stanley Hotel on 21st March 2005. The guest speaker Dr. Margaret Karembu, urged the participants to influence society’s attitudes towards media use. “The environment has both political and economic aspects, therefore it deserves an important place in our use of media.” She stated.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Samuel Katia, the acting Vice-Chancellor, encouraged the media personnel to mentor others who would like to take their place in highlighting environmental issues. The participants for the networking breakfast were drawn from KBC Radio and TV, Capital FM, Hope FM, KISS FM, Transworld Radio, and The Standard, Kenya Times, People Daily, Shine FM, Citizen Radio and TV, Mvaitu FM and New Sudan Christian Newspaper.

Trunking and Networking in Progress

The Daystar University is in the process of Trunking and Networking in Athi River Campus, in preparation for automation. The University is putting cables to connect the Library to the rest of the departments in Athi River Campus and also link it up to the Internet. Students will soon be able to access the Internet for research purposes. As we prepare the Libraries to offer you the best services in future, we request that you bear with the noisy situation in both campuses for a short time. A questionnaire to help gather information on the University Community use of the Library services is being circulated. Please complete it and hand it back to any of the Libraries. 

Arrival of New Books!

The University has just received a new consignment of New Books. Look out for the variety of titles available in the Library and notice boards.

Ambulance

The transport department is kindly reminding Daystar community that the ambulance is reserved for emergencies only at all times.  Therefore, members of the community are instructed to refrain from planning to use it for any other reasons. 

Transport Charges during Blocks

Transport Charges for one block is as follows:

Nairobi – 5150/=

A/R Town (day scholars) – 2575/=

Boarders Transport – 1050/=

DCF Elections

The DCF elections, were held on Tuesday 5/04/05 with the following people elected:

Chairman          -   Gordon Odira

Vice –Chairman    -   Erick Omondi

Secretary            -   Zipporah Kamau

Vice- Secretary   -   Gratien Iyumva

Treasurer            -   Daniel Kamau Waweru

This new DCF Executive commissioning and handing over ceremony was held on Wednesday 13th in the Amphitheatre at 2:30 pm.

Interim Government and Alumni Association

The Daystar University Interim Government and the Daystar University Alumni Association (DUAA) Chairman - Mr. Kamau Ng’ang’a and Vice-Chairman Paul Kiiru, held a meeting in the Athi-River campus on Saturday 2nd April 2005.

The two groups discussed ways and means of strengthening the Alumni Association and make it a more vibrant and recognized body among the students. They also discussed ways in which DUAA can introduce campus projects to improve the welfare of the students. The two bodies resolved to work hand in hand to improve the University and create a society that is at peace with itself.

Stars For Jesus Ministries International

On Tuesday, 5th April 2005, Athi-River Campus was honored with a visit by three officials of the ‘Stars for Jesus International Ministries’ located in Njatha-ini Kiambu. They were Rev. Phillip Githaiga, Founder and Director of the Home, Rev. Veronica Ngibuini, pastor and Chairperson, and Mary Njege, Treasurer.

Stars For Jesus is a local Christian charitable organization aimed at rescuing and rehabilitating street children, orphans and children who have been rejected by parents. It is currently supporting 60 boys, providing them with shelter, education, love and encouragement. They are the sponsors of two of our Daystar students, Josphat Kiragu, 3rd year and Stephen Ndambuki, Ist year. Stephen is a member of the worship team.

The Dean of Students, Mr. David Thuku and the Student Counselor, Mr. Jenaro Ithinji, hosted the officials. The discussions covered the aims, objectives and working philosophy of the S.F.J, the opportunities for partnering with Daystar in fulfilling Kingdom purposes and the welfare of the students sponsored by the organization.

Environmental Talk

The Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Prof. Ratemo Michieka visited Daystar University on 6th April 2005. He presented a talk on “The State of the Kenyan Environment and the Role of Universities “. Over three hundred students and staff members attended the talk, which was hosted by the Environmental Club.

In his speech, the NEMA director promised to donate ten litterbins to Daystar. He also left some literature related to the talk for all to read and these can be found in the Library’s Special Collection Section. The environmental club wishes to thank all who attended and participated.  

Dr. Paul Wangai To Visit Chapel

Dr. Paul Wangai, will be visiting the Chapel on the 19th April for the second time this semester to complete his message on “ Your Health In Running The Race”. We are all encouraged to attend the Chapel that very day.

Dr. Manfred W. Kohl, the Vice President of Overseas Council International visited Daystar on Thursday 7th April 2005. He spoke in chapel and later held a meeting with all the Academic Deans, the H.O. D Biblical and Religious Studies, Dr. Del Chinchen, Mr. Nyagowa from the Registrar’s Department and the Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs. Rosemary Kinoti.

Overseas Council has been a key supporter of Daystar over the years especially in the area of scholarships. During the meeting, Dr. Kohl shared insights on how best we can raise funds to build the ‘Daystar Chapel on the Hill’. He also shared on methods of marketing and fundraising, highlighting the importance of having a brochure about Daystar Research programs placed in public places. 

Beatrice Ndirangu, a lecturer in the Humanities Department lost her mother-in -law on Wednesday, March 30th 2005.  The funeral took place on 8th April 2005. We urge the Daystar community to uphold this family in prayer.

Exam Time-Table

Examinations will be held from 25th April to 7th May 2005.  The last day for attending lectures will be 20th April 2005. Study days will therefore be 21st and 22nd April.

Exam cards should be collected from the Registrar’s office between 15th and 19th April, 2005.  Those who have not cleared their fees balance should do so with the Accounts office.  The INFOSPOT wishes you success.

He named it Ebenezer - “the stone of help” - for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!” I Samuel 7:12b