New opening dates for universities
By Thandeka Matebesi
Lupane State University (LSU) and Midlands State University (MSU) have announced dates for new semesters set to begin early this month.
LSU said that while the university officially opened on 1 September 2020, students would only be allowed to begin lessons two weeks later.This notice serves to inform the students that the University Calendar is as follows: Semester begins 1 September 2020 (All returning students in Harare Cohort online).
“Part 1 New Conventional Students open 14 September 2020. Part 1 Block students (including Harare Cohort open 21 September 2020 27 September 2020). Supplementary/ special exams 21 September to 25 September 2020. End of Semester exams 16 November to 27 November 2020”, read the notice.
LSU Director of Marketing and Public relations Mr Zwelithini Dlamini said departments would make their own arrangements with regards to E-learning and referred further questions to department chairpersons and deans of faculties.
In a circular written by MSU registrar, first year students who are coming for their first semester will start on Monday while returning students will be advised on the opening date.
“Midlands State University wishes to advise all First year, First semester (Level 1:1) students who were accepted for the February 2020 and August 2020 Intakes that orientation and face-to-face lectures for conventional students will run from the 7th of September to the 19th of September 2020.
Please note, this includes students accepted for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work Degree which is offered at the MSU, Harare School of Social Work.Dates for returning students will be advised in due course, Visiting and Block Release classes will run from the 19th of September to the 27th of September 2020″, read the circular.The university also said that measures were in place to ensure that COVID-19 regulations were adhered to by students and staff.
In light of continued efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, students are required to bring facemasks and will be expected to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines as prescribed by the WHO and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Final year students in the department of languages and media at LSU and MSU, respectively, who commented on condition of anonymity said students were yet to receive official communication from the universities.
“I am not sure of what the learning arrangements are, still no communication from the management,” said the student from LSU.
An MSU students said: “As students we have not received any official communication from Midlands State University regarding the opening of schools. In the social sciences department we no longer have online classes as lecturers only communicate with us once after a long time. The situation is frustrating because we do not know what the plan is moving forward but it surely looks like we will go back to school next year which is unfair considering that other universities are going forward with their studies”.
