University of Zimbabwe reopens campus residence

The University of Zimbabwe will in the next semester open its hall of residence to students following the completion of construction of a water reservoir that has the capacity to serve the whole campus.

After closing its halls of residence for more than three years, the University of Zimbabwe will finally re-open in September.

This was revealed by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Stan Mudenge after touring the 2,5 mega litre water reservoir at the university that is almost complete.

Dr Mudenge said the closure of the halls of residence was a result of water problems at the institution due to water cuts by the city council, adding that the reservoir which was built to the tune of US$600 000 allows the university to have water for three days in times of water cuts.

"In the country's nine universities, shortage of accommodation has become a perennial problem and as a result, the government has availed funds for the construction of halls of residents in four of the universities," said Dr Mudenge.

University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor, Professor Levi Nyagura said renovations have also been made at the university with two new block of residential halls built that will see 100 more students getting accommodation.

"We have this year set aside more halls of residents for female students, considering that they are more vulnerable to abuse and that there has been an increase in the number of female students admitted at the university," Professo Nyagura said.

The water reservoir will have a test run this week.

Currently, UZ's halls of residence accommodates more than 4 300 students.