Rundu
The president of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) at the Rundu campus of the University of Namibia (Unam), Sundano Mabuta, has implored Pro-vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research Professor Osmond Mwandemele to ensure that the university consults SRCs on all decisions taken at the country’s main university.
Mabuta spoke at the academic commencement ceremony held at Eddy Shikongo Memorial Hall on Rundu Unam Campus on Wednesday, saying students are happy with the recent changes Unam introduced, such as the rebranding of the institution, restructuring of academic staff, online registration and accrediting qualifications. He said students expect good service delivery.
“We the student community are not happy that we still have students who are victimised by lecturers; students who sit in lecture halls with broken chairs; students who have missing examination scripts; students who don’t feel safe on campus as there is no proper lighting at night; students who cannot make use of technical and sound equipment as they are broken,” he said.
“We want the university to enter into fruitful contracts with service providers that consider the students’ best interest, as the services provided by the current service providers on campus are not up to standard. Furthermore, the food prices are not student-friendly,” he added.
Mabuta said they have accommodation facilities that are not maintained and he wants the university to closely monitor the maintenance of those facilities. “We want the university management to investigate these matters, as these are the issues that threaten the academic environment. As representatives of the University of Namibia Rundu campus we would like to implore the university to offer quality and uncompromised services to every student,” Mabuta said.
Mabuta further appealed for unity among Unam staff and the student community at large, adding that they must remain united and respect the opinions of students and staff in order to realise the university’s vision by making a positive change.
“More significantly, we must uphold the rules and regulations of the University of Namibia. No student at this institution should be made to feel that they do not belong,” he said.
“I, therefore, challenge all management, the faculty deans, staff and members of the Office of the Dean of Students and general staff, as well as students to assist in making a positive change, respect varied opinions of every student, and more significantly, obey all rules and regulations of the university.
Mabuta urged fellow students to be moral, ethical and physically sound, and to get involved in activities and platforms presented to them by the SRC, to empower one another and improve the conditions of the student community.