RE-OPENING OF THE SECOND SEMESTER: 2023 ACADEMIC YEAR 

Following the abrupt closure of the University on 16^th September, 2023 due to students’ unrest which escalated into violence over issues relating to fees adjustments, Mzuzu University wishes to announce the re-opening of the University after completing the necessary processes towards the resumption. 

The University Senate, during its 199^th Extraordinary Meeting held on Wednesday, 18^th October 2023, noted the University Council’s resolution made during its 74^th Meeting held on Thursday, 21^st September 2023 regarding the same matter which, among others, stated that:

1. It shall not tolerate lawlessness and indiscipline among students in discharging its duties and in providing policy direction for the University; and

• 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. 

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 23^rd October, 2023. Senate further agreed that the returning students should express desire to resume their studies and:

• Undertake to commit themselves to observing the rule of law and  discipline by conducting themselves well by following laid down  grievance handling procedures in resolving any grievances and disputes;

• Complete the applicable commitment forms which shall be administered          as part and condition of re-registration on arrival; and 

• Pay the new fees which were announced effective 28^th August 2023.  Different categories affected by the new adjustments are required to          complete their balances for the second semester as follows: 

In this regard, Senate has extended the registration period to Monday, 30^th October 2023 to allow all students finalise payment of the required fees. No further extension will be allowed beyond this date.

Senate noted that Government, through the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board, had already released a provisionally approved list of 3,930 deserving generic needy students out of the 4,009 loan applicants within the 2023/24 Loan Cycle Year. Further, 181 deserving needy Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) students out of 215 applicants had provisionally been approved for loans within the same Loan Cycle Year under the World Bank supported Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) Project. The approvals are based on the newly approved fees, subject to vetting and bonding process. 

YONAMU NGWIRA

UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR

  Dated 18^th October 2023