adminPost Correspondent
A NEW Zimbabwe Open University Student Representative Council was elected into office last Saturday as the university targets to recruit at least above 500 students each preceding semester.
The university enrolls more than 1 700 students.
Freelance journalist, Farai Matebvu who is doing Post Graduate studies was elected president, shrugging off stiff competition from Makoni-based Isaiah Dhliwayo.
Other council members who were elected are Itai Wanguwa (vice-president), Alice Muchenu (secretary), Emmanuel Jay Mahati (treasurer), Lewis Makanya (secretary for transport), Tichaona Sipeyiye (secretary for information, publicity and external affairs), Aaron Mashiri (secretary for properties) Kudakwashe Chibisi (secretary for academic and legal affairs), Tapiwa Dzapasi (secretary for special needs), Clive Tawanda Mavhera (secretary for sport and entertainment), Tatenda Manheru (secretary for social services) and Lucia Kapondo (gender affairs).
In an interview, ZOU deputy Manicaland regional director, Dr Godfrey Sango, said SRC was an integral component in the smooth functioning of the university.
“The council plays an advisory role to both university management and students at large in matters bordering students well being.
This is through its presence on key university domains such as the welfare services, legal and academic affairs, properties and external affairs, special needs, sport and entertainment etc.
The council further concerns itself with all issues that threaten the congenial atmosphere of learning, hence it seeks to appoint sub-committees to look into any matter that affects students such as conflicts, sanitation, and security,” Dr Sango said
“Through its constant touch with university authority, the SRC works towards building healthier staff-students relations to ensure mutual trust and respect.
By its membership with several mass student movements outside of campus, the SRC cooperates with other representative student bodies from other institutions to work towards students well being,” he added.
The Student Representative Council is administered by the Centre for Student Management- an administrative unit of ZOU.
The SRC in adherence to the provisions of its constitution, the ZOU Act and its Ordinances plays its role in ensuring the general welfare of all students.
This, it does by serving as the voice of all students by presenting issues as are necessary for a smooth academic environment.
This takes the form of negotiations, and lobbying on behalf of students. The council is also involved in research, scholarship and ICT development programmes.
Online Reporter