Unam sheds light on outstanding fees dilemma
The University of Namibia (Unam) has justified its decision to withhold students’ academic records until their outstanding tuition fees are paid.
This after a group of students voiced frustration and disappointment at a press conference last week, saying the institution’s decision hampers their ability to get jobs to be able to settle their fees.
According to public relations and media operations manager Simon Namesho, the university has “historically withheld students’ qualification certificates while allowing access to academic transcripts/records to encourage graduands to settle their outstanding fees”, with the expectation that they return to pay their dues and collect their certificates.
“However, this approach did not yield the expected results, leading to an accumulation of unclaimed certificates and rising debts, putting the university’s finances at risk,” he explained.
He added: “Since the end of 2023, this guiding principle has been amended. The university now restricts access to both the qualification certificates and the academic transcripts or records of those who have not cleared their dues. Students have been informed about this potential consequence of not paying their dues throughout 2023”.
According to him, this change aims to ensure that graduates settle their financial obligations.
“Graduates can contact the university’s finance department to explore payment options for settling their dues, enabling them to obtain their certificates and gain access to their academic transcripts/records. Despite these restrictions... graduands are still allowed and welcome to attend their respective graduation ceremonies.”
Prior notice
Last week, former student representative council (SRC) vice-president at Unam’s Rundu campus, Josef Kazangile, bemoaned the university’s decision, saying academic records are crucial when applying for jobs as employers require proof of completion of studies.
“Previously, once a student completed their studies, the academic record was updated to ‘degree obtained’ status and their academic records or transcripts were given to them, while the university withheld their qualifications [until their fees were settled].
"Now, the university decided not to update the status of our academic records to 'degree obtained', nor give us our transcripts. This situation has made us unable to apply or be shortlisted for any post in our fields,” he lamented.
The disgruntled students claimed that they only learnt about the policy change last month – mere weeks from graduation - but Namesho said prior notice and reminders were issued, encouraging students to settle their fees.
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This after a group of students voiced frustration and disappointment at a press conference last week, saying the institution’s decision hampers their ability to get jobs to be able to settle their fees.
According to public relations and media operations manager Simon Namesho, the university has “historically withheld students’ qualification certificates while allowing access to academic transcripts/records to encourage graduands to settle their outstanding fees”, with the expectation that they return to pay their dues and collect their certificates.
“However, this approach did not yield the expected results, leading to an accumulation of unclaimed certificates and rising debts, putting the university’s finances at risk,” he explained.
He added: “Since the end of 2023, this guiding principle has been amended. The university now restricts access to both the qualification certificates and the academic transcripts or records of those who have not cleared their dues. Students have been informed about this potential consequence of not paying their dues throughout 2023”.
According to him, this change aims to ensure that graduates settle their financial obligations.
“Graduates can contact the university’s finance department to explore payment options for settling their dues, enabling them to obtain their certificates and gain access to their academic transcripts/records. Despite these restrictions... graduands are still allowed and welcome to attend their respective graduation ceremonies.”
Prior notice
Last week, former student representative council (SRC) vice-president at Unam’s Rundu campus, Josef Kazangile, bemoaned the university’s decision, saying academic records are crucial when applying for jobs as employers require proof of completion of studies.
“Previously, once a student completed their studies, the academic record was updated to ‘degree obtained’ status and their academic records or transcripts were given to them, while the university withheld their qualifications [until their fees were settled].
"Now, the university decided not to update the status of our academic records to 'degree obtained', nor give us our transcripts. This situation has made us unable to apply or be shortlisted for any post in our fields,” he lamented.
The disgruntled students claimed that they only learnt about the policy change last month – mere weeks from graduation - but Namesho said prior notice and reminders were issued, encouraging students to settle their fees.
[email protected]
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