Academic scandal rocks University of Zimbabwe as standards plummet

The University of Zimbabwe (UZ), once revered as the nation's premier institution of higher learning, is now engulfed in a deepening academic scandal that threatens to destroy its already battered reputation. The Association of University Teachers (AUT), which represents lecturers at the university, has accused the institution's leadership of presiding over a complete breakdown of academic integrity.

Once ranked among Africa's top 25 universities, UZ has steadily declined in continental standings and now sits at number 49, according to Unirank's 2025 rankings. This is a stark contrast to its previous position as a regional academic powerhouse and reflects the broader political and socio-economic turmoil gripping Zimbabwe. At one point, UZ had fallen as low as number 62, a clear indicator of the country's deteriorating educational standards amid economic crisis.

AUT says the situation has been worsened by a debilitating lecturers' strike and what it calls gross academic malpractice under the watch of Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo. The lecturers' body claims that UZ has now effectively abandoned academic norms, with students being allowed to submit dissertations and final year projects without supervision or oral defence before an academic board. Instead, projects are being accepted without question, and the chairperson of the department simply assigns grades arbitrarily.

This departure from standard academic procedure, AUT warns, is leading to the production of graduates who lack the fundamental knowledge and skills expected from a reputable institution. The group argues that this not only degrades academic rigour but also strips UZ degrees of credibility, both locally and internationally. In their statement, AUT lamented that the university is being transformed into what they described as a "Banana institution" where shortcuts, incompetence, and expediency take precedence over scholarship and academic excellence.

Critics have laid the blame squarely on Professor Mapfumo's administration, which they say has failed to uphold the values and standards that once defined the university. The AUT has called for urgent reforms and a return to rigorous academic processes, including proper dissertation supervision and defence, to restore public trust and salvage the university's standing.

As the oldest university in Zimbabwe, established in 1952, UZ has long been seen as a beacon of intellectual excellence. However, unless decisive corrective action is taken, the current trajectory could permanently damage the institution's legacy and undermine the futures of its students.