The University of Zambia will begin charging 'economic' fees this year after submitting proposals to the government. Vice-chancellor Professor Steven Simukanga said that although the government wanted affordable student fees, this was not possible because government grants were inadequate said.

"While the harsh economic environment in the country is acknowledged, the call for revisiting the policy on the necessity to increase tuition fees should be looked into. Therefore, management will soon propose a modest increase in tuition fees to government to be effective in the 2009 academic year," he said.

The vice-chancellor said increases in student enrolments over the years had not been met by corresponding improvements in infrastructure, resulting in more than 50% of students not being accommodated. "Crowded hostels have not been conducive to serious academic work. Other amenities such as sports facilities are also in a poor state," he added.

But as the university had been chosen as an athletes' village for the 2011 All-Africa games, several benefits would accrue - one being the construction of 12 hostels which would become the property of the university afterwards, providing beds for more than 1,600 students.

Simukanga said that since the university was established in 1966, a lot of its land had remained undeveloped. But now plans were underway to harness this resource with private land developers for the benefit of the university community.

"The tendering process has started for the building of a hotel, business park, staff housing and student hostels on a build, operate and transfer basis under the public-private partnership concept," he said.

Clemence Manyukwe


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