Uganda Christian University (UCU) administration has passed out a document they have termed as a “Matriculation oath” to every student at the institution as a new requirement that they will need to present for registration next semester.
Matriculation can crudely be defined as a formal process of enrollment into a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by fulfilling certain academic requirements.
The new oath requires that students swear full allegiance to the university policies and regulations. Parents are also required to append their signatures.
“I solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that I will faithfully observe all regulations… for the good order and governance of the university,” reads the oath in part.
“I…promise to refrain from any acts of violence or that may provoke violence and other actions calculated to disrupt the work of the university or likely to bring the University into disrepute.”
The reaction from the students has been overwhelming. It has left many wondering especially continuing students as to what their status has been at the campus if they are now required to sign an enrollment oath.
Some students are speculating that it is perhaps a counter measure to a situation that occurred last year when two students attempted a demonstration against the university’s tuition policy.
“I think the suit by Yasin and Simon has exposed irregularities about the entry process at the university,” one student told Campus Bee on condition of anonymity. The two students that the source talks about are law students that were expelled from the university last year for attempting to demonstrate.
They have since been battling with the university in Jinja High Court. The reason advanced by the administration is that new students have been known to miss the induction service which has now lost meaning.
Currently, many students are still hesitating to sign these forms, but given the way the students at the university are moulded, it’s probable they may end up signing.
You must be logged in to post a comment.