The University of Zambia (UNZA) has closed following the directive and guidance from the Ministry of Health effective Friday, 20th March 2020.
UNZA Registrar Sitali Wamundila said all students are expected to leave the two campuses, the Great East Road and Ridgeway by Friday, 20th March 2020.
Mr Wamudila said exemptions have been made for students involved in clinical work as well as those in senior years of study.
He said those eligible to carry out health related support works in the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Health Sciences, Nursing Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.
Mr Wamundila said they are an essential group tasked to help in providing the much needed human resource in health facilities.
He said UNZA Senate also resolved that during this closure, learning will continue through e-learning platforms such as Moodle and Astria.
“To this end, Academic staff have been requested to promptly secure learning support material for them to facilitate teaching and learning using the e-learning platforms. Similarly, students have also been guided to ensure that they are registered and are 2 connected to the e-learning platforms to avoid missing out on learning. Further guidance to students on how to access the lectures from the Moodle and Astria platforms will follow soon,” he said.
Mr Wamundila said that UNZA Radio Station would remain open through-out the period of the University closure because of the radio station’s critical role in the Covid-19 pandemic information dissemination process.
He said UNZA recognises the concerns regarding the outbreak of the COVID-19 and continues to closely monitor the ongoing national and international cases.
Mr Wamundila said the University’s priority remains for health, safety, and well-being of the staff and students on and off campus.
He said the University has planned and instituted several preventive, emergency and decisive measures to limit possible risks while ensuring continuity of its core mandate of teaching and learning, research and community services.
