Unam explains registration process
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has criticised what it called “chaotic” and “disruptive” registrations at Unam.
In a press statement issued this week, PDM treasurer Nico Smit said he had learned that a new computer system had “lost” the marks of senior students.
As a result, students could not register for the new academic year.
“The university therefore cannot inform these students whether they passed or not. Apart from this unheard-of situation, students were confronted with about one week during which they could register, either at the various campuses or online,” he said.
Smit also criticised the slow registration process, saying the university only managed to register half of the expected students.
“The PDM wishes to express its disappointment with the fact that the minister of higher education, training and renewal, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, has had little or nothing to say about what has been happening at Unam. Surely she should have been offering advice and support to the students who have been subjected to great trauma as a result of these chaotic circumstances, but she has been conspicuous by her silence on this whole matter.”
Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho responded by saying that the volume of students registering at any given time during the registration period fluctuates tremendously.
According to him, there is a spike in registrations around month-end.
“The total student population of 2017 stood at 24 759. As of 6 February 2018, and bearing in mind that the late registration period commences only on 7 February, the enrolment of students is only 11% shy of the previous year's total students registered.
“Hence, there is no need to be anxious about the number of students enrolling at the University of Namibia,” he said.
He denied that students' marks had been lost, saying that the university had a thorough system of storing students' academic records.
“Should marks, whether of continuous assessment or examinations, not be reflecting on the student portal for any technical reasons, the university is in a position to retrieve marks when need arise.
“For students that might be experiencing challenges in accessing their marks on the student portal, service points have been set up to assist them daily.
“In addition, faculty officers are available to assist students that may need further assistance in terms of module selections or guidance outside the registration period,” said Namesho.
JEMIMA BEUKES
In a press statement issued this week, PDM treasurer Nico Smit said he had learned that a new computer system had “lost” the marks of senior students.
As a result, students could not register for the new academic year.
“The university therefore cannot inform these students whether they passed or not. Apart from this unheard-of situation, students were confronted with about one week during which they could register, either at the various campuses or online,” he said.
Smit also criticised the slow registration process, saying the university only managed to register half of the expected students.
“The PDM wishes to express its disappointment with the fact that the minister of higher education, training and renewal, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, has had little or nothing to say about what has been happening at Unam. Surely she should have been offering advice and support to the students who have been subjected to great trauma as a result of these chaotic circumstances, but she has been conspicuous by her silence on this whole matter.”
Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho responded by saying that the volume of students registering at any given time during the registration period fluctuates tremendously.
According to him, there is a spike in registrations around month-end.
“The total student population of 2017 stood at 24 759. As of 6 February 2018, and bearing in mind that the late registration period commences only on 7 February, the enrolment of students is only 11% shy of the previous year's total students registered.
“Hence, there is no need to be anxious about the number of students enrolling at the University of Namibia,” he said.
He denied that students' marks had been lost, saying that the university had a thorough system of storing students' academic records.
“Should marks, whether of continuous assessment or examinations, not be reflecting on the student portal for any technical reasons, the university is in a position to retrieve marks when need arise.
“For students that might be experiencing challenges in accessing their marks on the student portal, service points have been set up to assist them daily.
“In addition, faculty officers are available to assist students that may need further assistance in terms of module selections or guidance outside the registration period,” said Namesho.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article