New students urged to make the most of their time at SUZA

Prof. Idris Rai (standing), the Vice Chancellor gives welcome remarks to new students

 Prof. Idris Rai, the SUZA Vice Chancellor informed the new students that SUZA tends to put students at the centre of everything it does so their experience at SUZA and their success is important to each and every SUZA community member. “Your arrival here marks a new chapter in the history of your life so do utilize to the maximum the opportunities built in your programmes at the University”, he added.

He informed the new candidates that Zanzibar in the past was the fulcrum of various disciplines of education for Eastern Africa region and now the State University of Zanzibar intends to reclaim this seemingly lost status through the candidates it admits by imparting to them the appropriate skills and knowledge.

Prof. Rai advised students to be more self-reliant as they will be responsible for what they do and that they will have to ensure that they do the work required for them to do. “There will be no one to check up on you, you are matured enough and accountable to yourself., make sure you attend your lectures, labs and tutorials, do the assignments and read the material advised by your lecturers and tutors also ensure that you make enough time for private study; develop a study plan; go to the library and use the on-line learning resources which are fortunately accessible at SUZA”, he insisted.

A cross-section of the newly admitted students for 2017/2018 academic year pay attention listening to instructions from the SUZA Management Team.

He then enlightened the new students that some of them who will manage to come out with flying colours in their studies may have the opportunities to pursue collaborative education abroad through partnerships which SUZA has engaged in with other higher learning institutions which enable SUZA students to spend at least one semester abroad.

The Vice Chancellor updated students to realize that they are not alone and therefore if they find things difficult they do not have to run away, instead they have to seek help from the university management through the Dean of Students who is a good advisor  and is here for this purpose. He wished all the admitted students every success at the State University of Zanzibar and declared his confidence on them that they will find it an enormously rewarding experience.

Meanwhile, Dr. Haji Mwevura Haji, the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academics, Research and Consultancy congratulated the new students for having secured their university place and for having the good sense to choose to study in the State University of Zanzibar. He told them that there were so many applicants in all over fifty academic programmes of different levels existing at SUZA and the majority of them have met entry qualifications but due to limited chances only a few have been selected so the selected ones should not squander the chances they acquired.

Dr. Mwevura drew the candidates’ attention that by being here they will have the opportunity to learn new things, acquire new knowledge, develop new skills and enhance their personal attributes in profound ways that will equip them for life after university. “The great thing is that you are doing something that you have chosen to do, not something that was chosen for you by others so you have to work hard to achieve your goal”, the DVC Academics continued to remind them.

Earlier when welcoming the new students and giving her words of advice Ms. Salha Khalfan Khamis, the Dean of Students requested them to continue preserving the university environments of all campuses which are currently in nice-looking situation, she also urged them to comply with all  SUZA Students’ By-laws for the betterment of their existence in the university. 

Over 2,000 new students have been enrolled in various programmes for 2017/2018 academic year at the State University of Zanzibar; these will be allocated in Tunguu, Chwaka, Maruhubi, Mbweni, Nkrumah and Vuga Campuses depending on their areas of studies. Classes for them and the continuing students will commence on Monday 6th November, 2017.