Mzuzu University Management has announced that it will re-open next Monday 23rd October, 2023. This re-opening follows the abrupt closure of the University on 16th September, 2023 due to students’ unrest which escalated into violence over issues relating to fees adjustments.
In a statement signed by the University Registrar Mr Yonamu Ngwira, stated that “The University Senate, during its 199th Extraordinary Meeting held on Wednesday, 18th October 2023, noted the University Council’s resolution made during its 74th Meeting held on Thursday, 21st September 2023 regarding the same matter which, among others, stated that: a) It shall not tolerate lawlessness and indiscipline among students in discharging its duties and in providing policy direction for the University; and b) It had put in place necessary systems, policies and procedures for resolving any grievances and disagreements in the University which the students did not follow to have their concerns addressed.
The statement further reads:
“Having noted the Council position presented above and having observed that Management had taken the necessary disciplinary measures, Senate agreed that the Second Semester for the 2023 Academic Year should resume with the arrival of students on Monday 23rd October, 2023. Senate further agreed to require the returning students to express desire to resume their studies and: a) Undertake to commit themselves to observing the rule of law and discipline by conducting themselves wee [sic] following laid down grievance handling procedures in resolving any grievances and disputes; b) Complete the applicable commitment forms which shall be administered as part and condition of re-registration on arrival; and c) Pay the new fees which were announced effective 28th August 2023.”
The new fees structures per semester which brought about the chaos are as follows.
Generic (Face-to-Face) Students : K325,000; Upgrading and Weekend Students : K400,000; Upgrading (Data Science, Physics and Electronics, Biomedical Sciences, and Optometry); K450,000; Upgrading Students (Nursing and Midwifery): 500,000 and ODeL Students : K300,000.
