Veterum Sapientia Institute

Ndola

THE Government have closed the Alliance University College in Ndola for allegedly operating illegally, leaving tons of pupils stranded.

Copperbelt Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima (below) announced the closing of the private institution, which is housed at the former Republic Of Zambia Consumer Buying Corporation (ZCBC) supermarket in Kawama Township and runs under Alliance for World Mission.

The curate made the proclamation at a Press briefing after a drawn-out meeting with university management, Ministry of Education functionaries and police force at Cabinet business office in Ndola yesterday.

The establishment have 78 pupils and complaints K3.4 million per semester, which endures for six calendar months for sheepskin courses. Programmes offered include theology, nursing, psychology, societal work and community development, agribusiness and rural development and teaching.

The establishment have been divided into offices, schoolrooms and hostelries using wood boards.

Meanwhile, University College director, Tulipo Mwenefumbo said the closing was partial because his direction lodged an application for enrollment with the Government in February last twelvemonth and was waiting for response.

Mr Mbulakulima said the being of the university college was a dirt because the services and substructure were of substandard.

"Information obtained from the provincial instruction business office and the territory instruction board secretary clearly states that the services being offered by the university college are far below the lower limit standards. The being of the establishment is an embarrassment and unacceptable," he said.

The curate said a technical commission comprising functionaries from the Ministry of Education, the provincial manager of wellness and the territory commissioner's business office had, in conformity with the law, powerfulness to invalidate or suspend trading operations of an establishment in line with the Government regulations.

The Government would not let unregistered establishments to go on operating with impunity.

He observed that there was demand for private university operators to esteem the law in order to guarantee that the country's instruction criteria were not compromised.

Mr Mbulakulima wondered whether there was an establishment or Government federal agency which recognised the genuineness of the internally set certifications and sheepskins issued by the university college.

He explained that although the Government had decided to close the university college, the institution's government were free to reapply for enrollment once they put their house in order.

"You are at autonomy to regularise and normalise the situation. It's up to you to rush up the procedure but do certain that you detect the law," he said.

Mr Mbulakulima called on law-enforcement military officers to guarantee that the closing of the Alliance University was handled professionally.

The closing of the university follows a surprise visit by Mister Mbulakulima last hebdomad who was forced to carry on an on-the-spot check after receiving ailments from members of the public.

Rev Mwenefumbo said in an interview that his establishment applied for enrollment at the Ministry of Education, the Technical Education Entrepreneurship Authority (Teveta) and the University of Republic Of Zambia for accreditation in February last year.

"We have got applied to the relevant establishments and even held meetings with functionaries from these institutions, including the provincial government and the territory commissioner's office. We are surprised that government failed to inspect our premises despite being aware of our existence," he said.

Rev Mwenefumbo attended the Press briefing along with university chaplain, Raffaello Santi Ntembe.

Alliance University Students Union vice-president, Faithful Shalumwa said although the ordinances had no proviso for refunds, the establishment should ease the transportation system of pupils to their homes.

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"They should supply conveyance for all the pupils who are in boarding and guarantee that we complete our courses of study because we cannot lose money just like that," he said in an interview.

Rev Mwenefumbo said direction had no capacity to transport the pupils to their assorted homes.

Some lectors said yesterday that they had not been briefed about the closure.