The closing of the tech campus took effect on Tuesday after the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the university instigated a strike without the consent of the management of the Botswanan franchise of the university.
“Upon realising the situation on the ground and through requests for interviews from various media, management called for an emergency consultation meeting with the SRC to discuss issues pertaining to what was happening in vain, as the SRC instead preferred management to address the whole student body,” Mercy Thebe, regional director for corporate, industry and media relations for the university told media representatives.
However, the reasons for the student boycott were not disclosed and remain unclear at this time. A comment on the Botswana Student Network’s Facebook page only hints at a misunderstanding between the SRC and the university’s management.
Thebe added: “While management was consulting further on the way forward, it became apparent that the situation on the ground was getting volatile as students led by the SRC started to push the gates forcing their way in.
“Being sensitive to possible risk and safety of both the students, staff and possible damage to the university property, management had no option but to take the inevitable decision to close down the university for normal class business with immediate effect until further notice.”
Furthermore, the university assured all staff, students and parents as well as stakeholders communication processes will be pursued to find a solution to the issue.
The university maintains it is committed to delivering quality education to the youth of Botswana, which contributes the developing economy of the country.
“We also strive to highlight that the promotion of discipline amongst students as a key component of their learning and education remains a priority of the university,” concluded Thebe.
