ZINASU Rejects Lecturers’ Push To Delay University Of Zimbabwe Graduation

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has voiced opposition to a recent call by the Association of University Teachers (AUT), a union representing university lecturers, to postpone the University of Zimbabwe’s upcoming graduation ceremony.

The AUT has escalated its demand by filing an urgent High Court application to block the event, scheduled for 15 August, arguing that it is going ahead despite allegedly compromised examination results during a lecturers’ strike.

Dr Phillemon Chamburuka, representing the AUT, is seeking a court order to prevent the UZ Council, Vice Chancellor, and other officials from holding the ceremony until a comprehensive forensic audit of the 2024–2025 second semester results is conducted.

In a statement released on Sunday, 10 August, ZINASU Secretary-General Emmanuel Devine Nyakudya said the union was firmly against postponing the graduation, describing the move as “detrimental to the students’ interests”. Said Nyakudya:

“It discredits the work done by students and ultimately lowers the credibility of this particular cohort.

“Students won’t be able to afford the additional expenses accrued if the graduation is postponed.

“The students we view as heroes should graduate and be able to focus on the next part of their lives.

“Our position remains clear and unwavering: the education system at the University of Zimbabwe and nationwide has decayed beyond repair.

“This calls for the government of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Education, and the University of Zimbabwe to sit down and address this rot.

“Lecturers deserve a working and meaningful living wage that is worth their time and expertise.”

Related:

ZINASU Slams CUT Over “Autocratic” Eviction Of Students ZLHR condemns harassment and persecution of university students