Determined to create a platform where students can unleash their creativity and gain practical experience, Mitchell Kudzai Duma has founded Creative Nova, a club designed to nurture talent and equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the competitive media industry.
Duma, a second-year journalism student at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), realised that her department lacked “hands-on practical experience on video and film production courses due to the recently introduced modularisation learning method”.
“The current learning structure doesn’t allow enough time for hands-on media productions, but with Creative Nova, students have the opportunity to learn and practice beyond class theory lessons.”
Mitchell Kudzai Duma
Duma could not wait any longer but quickly launched her initiative on the 20th of September 2024 with twenty five students from various faculties in attendance. “The club has a total of fifty five student members and I anticipate signing up many more students”.
The event, held in the vibrant basement of the campus, was more than just a gathering—it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and dreams coming to life. The room was buzzing with excitement, laughter, and enthusiasm as students shared their inspirations and visions for the club’s future.
For Duma, seeing her idea come to fruition was a moment of pride and joy. “I feel honoured to be bringing to life something that the media department has been anticipating for a long time,” she said. “But more than anything, having an entire team of awesome people behind me and the vision is what will keep me pushing forward.”
Duma’s motivation stemmed from the desire to bridge the gap between the academic curriculum and the real-world demands of the media industry. With the support of Mthabisi Onias Ndlovu, the club’s patron, she rallied students from different faculties, uniting them under the shared goal of creative exploration.
Ndlovu, who has extensive experience in the media industry, praised the initiative, stating that the club has a bright future since it is made by students for students.
“The fact that they have come up with such an initiative shows that they can do anything creative. I’ll be happy to use my industry expertise to guide them,” says Ndlovu.
The impact of Creative Nova goes beyond just media students. One of the unique aspects of the club is its inclusivity—it welcomes students from all faculties.
“As someone from a tech background, I’m exploring the world of art through this club. It’s an exciting fusion of technology and creativity, and being part of this network of artistic thinkers is already expanding my horizons.”
said one club member
Duma’s vision for Creative Nova is bold: to carve out professionals who are ready to compete on a global scale. While NUST’s media curriculum provides a solid foundation, the club offers students the creative freedom to experiment and push boundaries beyond the confines of the classroom.
Duma’s drive is inline with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education mantra of ‘Education 5.0’ which seeks to drive innovation and ensure that universities create entrepreneurs who are able to put theoretical work and research into actual practice. The NUST Journalism Department has seen a number of student initiatives that have successfully flourished, with some of the programming making it to the country’s national television broadcaster.
Duma said: “The formation of this club was long overdue. Now, we can truly explore our creative potential and make the most of our time at NUST.”
Creative Nova is just getting started, and the students are ready to put in the work to ensure it thrives. For Duma, the successful launch of the club is only the beginning.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” she said, beaming with excitement. “The best is yet to come,” she said. “NUST students, creatives, and innovators—watch out. Creative Nova is here, and it’s ready to take over”.