A 22 years unfinished NUST building

The pictures attached are not from a ghost town. They are from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe's second-largest state university and a leading institution in engineering, science, and technology.

For years, generations of students have come and gone while this massive structure has remained unfinished. Many students know it simply as "the abandoned building" a permanent reminder of a project that was started but never completed.

Students continue to ask difficult but important questions:

Why was this project left unfinished? What happened to the funds that were meant to complete it? Why has no clear explanation been given? Why does such a strategic institution continue to operate without prioritizing the completion of infrastructure that could transform the learning environment?

This is not merely an eyesore. It is a safety concern. An abandoned structure can become a hiding place for criminals, expose students to danger, and compromise the security of the campus community. It also undermines the image and aspirations of a university that prides itself on producing the engineers and innovators of tomorrow.

Many may not know that NUST's main campus still lacks a fully functional central library , forcing students to travel elsewhere to access some learning resources. Classroom shortages remain a challenge. Completing this project could help address some of these pressing needs.

Every year, distinguished guests, government officials, and national leaders attend graduation ceremonies celebrating the achievements of NUST graduates. Yet this unfinished structure remains standing as a silent question mark over our national priorities.

What message are we sending to future engineers when a major project at an engineering institution remains incomplete for years?

As students and stakeholders in higher education, we respectfully call upon the Vice Chancellor, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, university authorities, development partners, and the Government of Zimbabwe to urgently review this project and provide a clear roadmap for its completion.

NUST students deserve a safe, modern, and fully developed learning environment. This building should not become a monument to neglect. It should become a symbol of progress, accountability, and investment in Zimbabwe's future.