The institution is set to have its graduation ceremony on 7
December at its Hatcliffe campus in Harare which will be attended by a small
number of graduands while others will follow proceedings virtually.
Since 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic,
Universities have been holding virtual graduations, only allowing those with
first-class degrees to physically attend the ceremonies.
In the petition, the students said they do not want to
graduate at different venues or virtually.
“We need a united physical graduation for all ZOU graduands
(no separation) for whatever reason, ZOU organized graduation at different
venues, that is, Belvedere and Hat cliff campus. As students we do not agree
with that, we do not want to be separated and we do not want virtual
graduation,” read the petition.
“The graduation day is more important than even acquiring
the certificate itself to us as students. It is our day hence we need to
graduate together like what we did when we were oriented during the start of
our degree program,” read the petition.
Contacted for a comment, Corporate Communications Director,
Thomas Mahundi said this year’s venue, Hatcliffe site is under construction
hence it accommodates small numbers.
“The Zimbabwe Open University Management would like to
inform its valued stakeholders the class of 2022 that your university remains
committed to addressing the students’ plight. In view of this, management
wishes to bring to your attention once again that this year’s main graduation
venue, the Hatcliffe site is under construction hence it accommodates small
numbers,” said Mahundi.
He said the rest of the graduands will graduate virtually
at their regional campus venues, following proceedings live on ZTV, ZOU
Facebook page and link via ZOU website. CITE
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