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Herald Correspondent
STUDENT leadership at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) has welcomed a proposal by the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) to build students’ accommodation at the institution.
A recent notice by the IDBZ called for an “Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the proposed Student Accommodation Complex at Chinhoyi University of Technology.”
IBDZ and CUT said, through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called USSAP Properties (PVT) Ltd, the bank intends to construct a students’ accommodation complex at CUT.
The development of a students’ accommodation complex at CUT entails the construction of five hotel blocks with base bed capacity of 1 512 (1 512) students, inclusive of extension of existing services (water, sewer, roads and electricity) to service the new facilities. IDBZ said the students’ accommodation complex will comprise a combination of three and four-storey buildings, covering a total area of 18 000 square metres.
According to the bank, the proposed development will interact heavily with natural environment during and after construction.
“It is therefore important to anticipate the consequences of the development on the environment, including flora and fauna, human persons and businesses in the area.
“The size and characteristics of the project require that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be conducted in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (EMA) of 2003, Chapter 20.27.”
Consequently, the IDBZ has engaged consultants to undertake the EIA for the proposed project and is in the process of sounding all possible stakeholders likely to be affected by the development.
Chapter 2003: 20.27 of the EMA requires that a stakeholder consultation exercise be carried out in order to ensure that all interested and affected parties are made aware of the project.
More than a month ago, a student at the Jesuit Arrupe University in Harare suggested construction of students’ accommodation at institutions of higher learning in the country.
The country has more than 20 institutions of higher and tertiary education, when universities and polytechnics are taken into account.
In his suggestion, the student, Dumisani Mpofu, identified IDBZ, the National Building Society (NBS), the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP) as possible players in constructing students’ accommodation on or near campuses.
His argument is that such students’ accommodation will provide a conducive environment for students to focus on their studies, that it will be secure, affordable, and on or nearer campuses for the convenience of students.
His argument is that the establishment of more institutions of higher learning and the increase in student population require a reassessment of the provision of students’ accommodation because of the rising demand for students’ housing.
There are also cases where the living environment is noisy and therefore disruptive to students’ ability to concentrate on assignments and studies.
The argument by the student at the Arrupe Jesuit University is that foreign students or students from Binga, Mudzi, Muzarabani or remote Chiredzi, need somewhere where they will be able to focus fully on their studies — a home away from home.
A stressful accommodation environment — noise, sub-standard or crammed accommodation because landlords are after maximizing on rentals — will affect the academic work and the psychological well-being of a student. This impacts on their overall performance, achievement and consequently successful completion of their study programmes.
The advantage of student accommodation on or near campus means students do not travel long distances to get to lectures and do not have to worry about bus fare expenses.
Where there is campus accommodation for students, there usually are also catering and laundry facilities, which means, students do not necessarily have to worry about preparing meals after a busy day or when they have pressing assignments to complete.
Shortage of students’ accommodation on or near campuses contributes to absenteeism and erratic performance. It could also result in disrupted relations with other students. Students, therefore, need a settled mind for better academic performance.
The state can provide land for NSSA, IDBZ, NBS and UDCORP for construction of affordable students’ accommodation, the Arrupe Jesuit University student argues.
Finally, someone is listening and has taken note of the plight of thousands of students who have to commute long distances or are being exploited by unscrupulous landlords under conditions where many are sharing a single room.
CUT Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Secretary General, Dison Nyatsanga, initially welcomed the development promising a more informed robust response. However, by the time of going to print, the response had not materialised.
A survey conducted last year by the International Student Survey, established that 60 percent of international students cited information on availability of student housing as key in deciding where to pursue their studies. There is also an established link between housing for students and students’ mental health.
Being settled reduces stress, boosts confidence, thus allowing a student to perform better.
The Head of Counselling at Oxford University, Alan Percey, in summarizing the importance of campus students’ accommodation points out that, “Student mental health is hugely improved if they can feel able to engage with other students through cooking, socializing, playing and generally living together in a respectful community.”
While universities cannot adequately provide campus-owned accommodation for students, institutions of higher learning can provide adequate support to students who might require accommodation off-campus.
Having a database of off-campus rented accommodation and constantly inspecting their status can assist students in avoiding stress and negative experiences.
The Government unveiled a strategy to provide affordable housing to millions of Zimbabweans on the housing waiting list. The argument made by the student at Arrupe Jesuit University is that students’ accommodation at or near institutions of higher and tertiary education should form part of the Government’s housing strategy.
Online Reporter