admin(Nust) for this year’s intake were turned away because of stiff competition.
The university had received more than 4 000 applications.
Welcoming the new students at the university on Monday, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lindela Ndlovu, said despite the increase in the number of universities in the country, Nust received an overwhelming number of applications, which forced the institution to enroll those with the highest points through a rigorous selection process.
“The number of universities in Zimbabwe has grown from one to 15 in the past 32 years. This numerical growth has obviously increased different academic disciplines at different universities. There is therefore, competition by universities in the recruitment of students,” said Prof Ndlovu.
“The National University of Science and Technology received more than 4 000 applications for undergraduate places for academic year 2012-2013. We were only able to offer 1 650 places. The competition was stiff and those who are here passed the rigorous selection process.”
The university’s director of information and public relations, Mr Felix Moyo, said the applicants were grouped according to faculties and programmes they applied for with those who scored higher points being given priority.
“When students apply we capture their details in a computer system which groups them according to their faculties and subject combinations. Yes, we have been overwhelmed with applications. Initially some had failed to get places but we have managed to absorb all those who applied and qualified,” said Mr Moyo.
“From the assessment we have made Nust receives about 50 percent of post-Advanced Level candidates’ applications across the country. However, it is not easy to have a general cut-off point for everyone as this differs from one department to another. Some programmes can be filled up with those with 14 points and above while some take applicants with nine points.”
Turning to life at the university, Prof Ndlovu urged the new students to uphold high standards of discipline and commitment in order to score good passes and contribute to the development of the country.
He challenged the students to be innovative during their course of study and identify fresh approaches of solving problems facing their communities.
Prof Ndlovu added: “Academic freedom is related to huge intentions to succeed with innovations, inventions and discoveries. There is no academic freedom that is divorced from success. Every student who fails to emerge with some discoveries during their time as a student fails the route of academic freedom. After building up into academic freedom, then that freedom opens up into practical life that promotes humanity at various levels. We are then speaking of academic freedom which is life related, developmental and that is for nation building,” he said.
“As a Government-funded institution the expectations from the Government and the public are that we should put back something to the nation. The return of service to the nation is through our core values which are honesty and integrity, innovativeness, excellence and diligence, intellectual freedom, equity and social environmental responsibility,” said Prof Ndlovu.
Prof Ndlovu warned students to guard against plagiarism, which is stealing of other people’s ideas, saying such behaviour was a violation of intellectual property rights and regulations.
Prof Ndlovu urged the students to concentrate on their studies and desist from violent activities such as vandalising infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Prof Ndlovu said Nust was working with the Government to ensure that less privileged students get funding through the cadetship scheme.
The Bulawayo-based university was established in 1991 and has about 32 departments from eight faculties which are Applied Sciences, Built Environment, Industrial Technology, Medicine, Education, Communication and Information Science, Commerce and Governance Ordinance.
Online Reporter