adminreport at the university’s second graduation ceremony in Lupane where President Mugabe capped 16 graduates yesterday, LSU Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Maclean Bhala said he was satisfied with the pace of construction.
“The pace of construction almost quadrupled from January 2011 and despite some minor hiccups in the tendering procedures, the faculty of agriculture complex has reached roof level.
“We are also indeed grateful to the constructor on site, China First Metallurgical Construction Company (CFMCC), Architects Studio Arts Inc, quantity surveyors Mukorombindo and Associates and all other specialist engineers who have remained resolute and dedicated to the completion to the project,” said Dr Bhala.
“We also want to celebrate today the appointment of another contractor (Jianghshun Zimbabwe) to start building a students’ hostel to give shelter to more than 600 students.
“The contractor is now on site and projects that the job should be completed by November or December 2012”.
Dr Bhala also announced that Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) has offered to build another students block on campus in dedication to the memory of the mine disaster that occurred at the mine almost 40 years ago and claimed 427 lives.
“These three projects outlined above provide a positive platform for discussing the question of relocation LSU from its current campus in Bulawayo to this designated rural setting,” said Dr Bhala.
He said the university’s enrolment has swelled from 503 students last year to 1 063 students of which 51 percent are female and 49 percent are males.
Dr Bhala attributed the increase to the introduction of new programmes that have attracted more students in areas such accounting, finance and human resource management.
He also said the university has introduced block and parallel programmes which have opened more room for more students to register with the institution.
He however, expressed concern that the university staff was inadequate.
“Our students are currently being taken care of by a total contingent of 183 staff members of which 51 are academic. It is essential to note at this point that the engagement of senior academic staff from within our borders and more so from abroad has remained a daunting challenge to the university management.
“The top levels of our senior administrative staff have not also been fully filled and this anomaly creates a leadership vacuum within sections,” said Dr Bhala.
He said the university was faced with a lot of challenges in achieving its goals.
Dr Bhala paid tribute to the donation of furniture and a two tonne tipper truck by Vice President John Nkomo.
Online Reporter
Charles Duri