NATIONAL University of Science and Technology (Nust) students who completed their studies and are scheduled to graduate on December 7 this year have bemoaned the “exorbitant” graduation fee the institution is charging.
Nust has pegged the graduation fee at US$145.
In a petition dated October 24, 2023, signed by the Students Representative Council (SRC) president Muziwenkosi Moyo, the graduands said: “We request the university to reduce the graduation fee from its current amount of US$145. By reducing the graduation fee, we can ensure that all deserving students have an equal opportunity in this milestone event without being hindered by financial constraints.”
He added: “We would also like to propose an alternative payment option for the graduation fee. It would be highly beneficial if Nust could also consider accepting payments in equivalent bank rates.
“We are not unmindful of the current economic downturn, but our parents are peasants and they haven’t had complementary increases in their salaries. We are appealing to your higher office to bid a commendable farewell to the future leaders and afford families and friends to celebrate the academic successes of their own by reviewing downwards the graduation fee to a reasonable and justifiable amount, which is a reflection of what other State universities are charging under the same economic hardships.”
Moyo said, for instance, the University of Zimbabwe was charging US$90, Chinhoyi University of Technology (US$100), Great Zimbabwe University (U$105) while Midlands State University was yet to release its graduation fee.
“We recommend that, in your planning for the big day, eliminate unnecessary costs which are burdening your resources,” he said.
In an interview with NewsDay, Nust spokesperson Thabani Mpofu said he was not aware of the communication from the students representative body.
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“I am not aware of such a notice issued by the SRC. However, the graduation fee for undergraduates is US$145 and for post-graduates it is US$165 including the graduation regalia,” he said.
