Umma varsity students yet to graduate 2 years after studies

Students celebrate after graduating. Over 1,000 students of Umma University have protested over what they say is delay in holding a graduation ceremony and issuing them with certificates despite having successfully completed their studies. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The frustrated students have further claimed that the university has never given them adequate communication on their fate.

  • They allege that some students are waiting for their graduation and certificates for two years now.

  • Dr Hussein Ali Osman said the administration is in process of holding a graduation ceremony for their former students.

Over 1,000 students of Umma University have protested over what they say is delay in holding a graduation ceremony and issuing them with certificates despite having successfully completed their studies.

The frustrated students have further claimed that the university has never given them adequate communication on their fate, adding that they are stranded and handicapped since they cannot look for jobs or further their education.

They allege that some students are waiting for their graduation and certificates for two years now.

The students who feared to be named for fear of victimisation by the university said the situation has left them with no option but to wait for word from the institution, which has not been forthcoming.

"The board of trustee seems not to be concerned about the plight of over 1,200 students. What we are demanding is proper communication as to when our certificates will be issued," said one of the students who completed studies in December 2016.

"We are frustrated since we cannot start postgraduate courses or apply for available job opportunities," he added.

The students have now threatened to sue the university if it continues withholding their certificates.

However, when contacted by Daily Nation, Umma University's registrar of academics, Dr Hussein Ali Osman, said the administration is in process of holding a graduation ceremony for their former students.

"The university’s management is waiting (for a) charter and once all procedures are over, a graduation (ceremony) will be held in two to three months’ time," he told Nation.