University Of Zimbabwe Has A Backlog Of Academic Certificates
Hundreds of University of Zimbabwe (UZ) graduates have expressed frustration over the institution’s failure to give them their academic certificates over a year after graduating.
Students who spoke to NewsDay about the issue said failure to obtain their certificates has been hindering their chances of securing jobs.
Universities usually avail certificates to graduates on the day of graduation or a few days after the ceremony but some students who completed their degrees at UZ in December 2021 and June 2022 have not yet obtained their certificates.
UZ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo conceded that the university has a backlog but was working on addressing the issue. He said:
We changed the form of the certificate at the institution. The process of phasing out the old certificate took longer which resulted in a backlog of certificate issuance.
However, we are working to address the issue. Over the last semester break, we have been printing out the certificates which would be ready for collection soon.
The students know that and ought to bear with us. Students who have other particular issues with the issuance of academic documents know where their complaints [can] be addressed.
The university is always ready to address any challenges faced by the students.
Affected UZ graduates appealed for government intervention and criticised the university for “taking them for granted”.
