ENACTUS ; WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR

INTRODUCTIONHuman progress is dependent on our ability to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit that dwells within each individual and channel the unique talent, passion and ideas inherent in us, as well as making each opportunity that comes a usable tool in our “tool’s box”. Zig Zigler once asked a rhetorical question; will you look back on life and say “I wish I had” or “I’m glad I did”? It is so wrong to count the things you do, rather do the things that count. That’s the crux of entrepreneurship – having the perspective to see an embracing opportunity, ENACTUS have all it takes to bring out this traits in you. Enactus, known before October 2012 as Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. Enactus provides a platform for university students to collaborate with business and academic leaders in the development of entrepreneurial-based projects that empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their communities. The quality and impact of the students' projects are evaluated by leading executives through a series of regional, national and global competitions. The Enactus experience not only transforms the lives of the people served, it also transforms the lives of the students who participated as they develop into entrepreneurially minded, socially responsible leaders.

PROJECT OPERATIONSEnactus projects are undertaken by student teams of more than 1,600 university campuses in 36 countries. Enactus offers these 66,500 students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, in hopes of improving the livelihoods of individuals in the process. Each of our campus programs functions like an independent innovation lab, and rather than mandating a uniform approach, students are challenged to get out of the classroom and work hands-on with the people and communities for which they are helping to develop uniquely tailored solutions. Every team works with a dedicated faculty mentor and business advisory board than help the students achieve the highest level of creativity and excellence in their work. In the case of University of port Harcourt, our amiable Faculty Advisor is Dr.(Mrs.) Uche, Dr Steve Wordu and Mr Paul are the hands that paths our back for each task well executedCOMPETITIONThe quality and impact of the students' projects are then assessed through a series of regional and national competitions, which are judged by leading executives. The top team from every country gets invited to showcase their projects on a global stage at the Enactus World Cup.This competitive process creates an idea-sharing environment and is aimed at fostering a healthy spirit of competition, which encourages and rewards excellence.

In every country around the world, and at each level of the overall competition, the format, rules and judging criteria remain the same. The reigning champions of the Enactus world cup is North China Electric power University.

ENACTUS –UNIPORT

ENACTUS-Uniport is a team of students here in the University of Port Harcourt that carries out the function of enactus on campus. Despite their academic pursuit and other busy schedules use every little opportunity to affect the lives of others around them through their several projects Some of the recently executed projects by enactus-uniport includes;

The construction of the choba market choco-oven, to empower fish-mongers to process more smoked fish with less fuel, little or no stress ,and at a reduced time

The installation of the Ndele Bio-sand filter by team members, a means of purifying wells for dwellers in that rural area to reduce health risk resulting from drinking unclean water

In-house training, where team members were taught the act of soap-making, bleach and also custard powder.

Teen-coders’project, where team members visit secondary schools educating teenagers on the need for effective use of the computer to solve real life problems such as building application(programs), website development, games and animations etc.

All these projects came to limelight with the joint effort of our former team-leader, Timipre George and the present team-leader, Precious Ejiyiere . Not to forget our faculty Advisor, Dr.( Mrs.) Uche leads the team in decision-making and finally the relentless team. We are such a formidable force.An opportunity to join Enactus is to discover the treasure that lies in you, it’s a clarion call that worth is more than a fortune.

Team members at work, during the Ndele Bio-sand Filter Project.

Team members after the in-house training

Team members and pupil during the teen-coders mentorship project

Team leader, Ejiere Precious instructing teenagers during

The teen-coders’ mentorship project

Photo at Teen-coders’ mentorship project

A team member inspecting the use of

The choko-oven

A fish monger making use of the

Choko-oven

People in midst of the first row from (L-R); Dr. (Mrs.) Uche, Dr. steve wordu,

, Prof. Joseph Ajeinka(V.C, University of Port Harcourt) with enactus-uniport

Written by: Michael Egbujua c.

michaelclarinet90@gmail.com