NUST escalates student petition to the university council

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Student Representative Council (SRC) confirmed that it has escalated a student petition to the university’s Council, accusing management of failing to address persistent academic, accommodation and welfare challenges. In a statement issued last week, the SRC said it had submitted a petition to Vice-Chancellor Professor Erold Naomab on 12 August 2025 through SRC President Michee Masengo, detailing the concerns of the SRC, the Housing Committee and the Academic Committee. This followed repeated assurances from administration, including those made during a 26 March meeting with Chief Operations Officer (COO) Browny Mutrifa, which failed to deliver concrete action.Following the petition submission, management did not provide the requested acknowledgement. On 14 August, the SRC received an invitation to a meeting scheduled for 19 August, issued by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Operations, Miriam Dikuwa. Naomab had unilaterally appointed a committee, led by Dikuwa, to engage the SRC. On 21 August, the SRC convened a mass student meeting to collect in-depth feedback on academic challenges. A day later, management committed to procuring and installing Wi-Fi routers in hostels, with progress feedback expected within three weeks, and to schedule a follow-up meeting on 1 September to provide updates on academic challenges after consulting faculty management. However, as at 8 September, no feedback meeting had been held and no further communication had been provided.Student welfare challengesStudents raised a wide range of academic issues, including overcrowded classes, frequent cancellations, venue clashes and a lack of study spaces. Library overcrowding was highlighted as a significant concern. Faculties were accused of abrupt curriculum changes, denying exemptions, and poor communication that delayed graduations. Furthermore, students reported issues with exams, including delayed release of marks, clashing timetables, multiple exams within short periods, and systematic errors. Regional centres were described as lacking proper academic records, laboratories with necessary software, and adequate support for distance learners. Tuition and registration fees are another major point of contention. Undergraduates pay N$4,500 per semester and postgraduates N$9,000, yet improvements in infrastructure, Wi-Fi, and overall services have not followed. Persistent poor Wi-Fi access, particularly in hostels, has continued for over a decade, despite a N$5 million allocation to address the issue.Shortages of computers and printers, especially at regional campuses such as Eenhana, remain unresolved, while the SRC itself struggles with limited operational resources, including phones and office maintenance. Hostel conditions were also raised as a major concern. Students described unsafe living conditions, unfinished renovations, lapses in security such as faulty doors, and inadequate meals. The petition demanded immediate action or reductions of 30 per cent in hostel and meal fees. Temporary solutions such as installing routers using existing Ethernet ports and reinstating pocket Wi-Fi were proposed. Students also asked that international students receive equal tutoring rights and that exam timetables and class clashes be reviewed. Additional demands included lowering registration fees, improving facilities such as computers, projectors and printers at all centres, and fully equipping Mechanical Engineering laboratories or reducing module fees by 50 per cent.Deadlines and student actionsThe petition warned that if demands were not met by 19 August 2025 at 12:15, students would hold a press conference with media and allied student groups, publish the petition to the wider student body, and engage in peaceful demonstrations or campus shutdowns. By 8 August, 117 students had signed the petition, expressing frustrations ranging from delays in Wi-Fi installation, poor hostel conditions and low-quality meals, to unfinished renovations and outdated handwashing and laundry facilities. Many stated that despite paying substantial fees, they continue to wait for basic services. According to the SRC, many issues had been repeatedly escalated since the beginning of the year, particularly from the office of the COO, Browny Mutrifa. The Council accused management of showing “serious disregard” for student leadership structures and the welfare of students across NUST campuses, noting that the same matters have been raised consistently by previous SRCs over the past two to four years. “For management to claim that this is the first time they are hearing about these challenges is deeply misleading,” the SRC said. It warned that management should not expect a “reset” with each new Council election. “Students should not be forced to start from the beginning each year, re-explaining and re-fighting for issues that have already been formally raised. This practice delays progress, wastes time and undermines accountability.”The current SRC also admitted to its own shortcomings, apologising to students for not properly engaging with them before submitting the petition and for failing to provide transparent updates afterwards.“After the petition was submitted, we should have immediately kept students updated with every step, but we failed to do so. This was wrong, and we accept full accountability,” the statement read.Unresolved issuesWith engagements with committees and senior management exhausted, the SRC said it is now escalating unresolved matters to the NUST Council, where the SRC President serves as a member.Council, the university’s highest policy-making and governing body, is empowered to set policies, approve fee adjustments, and make final binding decisions on institutional matters. The SRC confirmed that it will table the petition and unresolved issues before Council at its sitting scheduled for 11 September 2025, as per the institutional calendar. “If Council, the institution’s supreme authority, fails to address the petition satisfactorily, it would mean the highest governance structure has chosen to ignore the voices of students,” the SRC warned. It added that any further actions, whether by the SRC, Academic Committee, Housing Committee, or the broader student body, will only be considered after the Council meeting, with students fully informed of the outcomes. The SRC pledged to continue engaging constructively but firmly, ensuring that students are kept updated every step of the way. “This process has shown us the depth of challenges faced by our student community, especially distance students who continue to be disadvantaged despite paying equal fees,” the statement read. The SRC called on students to remain united, patient and engaged, stressing its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of all students at NUST with transparency and accountability.

NUST escalates student petition to the university council

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

Please login to leave a comment

NUST escalates student petition to the university council

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

Please login to leave a comment

Login