Prof. Samson Abangma, Registrar, University of Buea in this interview explains forthcoming changes in the institution this new academic year.

What explains the late start of the 2011/2012 academic year, as compared to other State universities?

The last academic year ended with the lecturers’ trade union deciding not to release students’ individual second semester results. When we came back on 16th September, students had not yet received their results for the second semester. Secondly, the re-sit was planned to take place by the third week of September. But the staff decided that because of the indiscipline of the students, they were not going to do the re-sit.

This issue has been dragging on and it was only recently that we were able to resolve it. Many things in the university could not go ahead without resolving the question of re-sit. Although we had a well planned calendar of activities, that calendar could not be followed because of this impasse. The academic staff union has decided to lift the suspension. We have sent the message out that the re-sit exam will start on Wednesday October 26.

When is the University scheduled to re-open?

The university resumed since 16th September, beginning with the academic staff. Students have come to collect their second semester results which were being withheld by the academic staff. The entrance examinations into the Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters (ASTI) and the Faculty of Health Sciences, have taken place. We have published the first list of admissions into the university. We can say that the academic year has already started.

What are your difficulties as you begin this academic year?

The problem remains the same. The budget of the university has remained almost stagnant for the last five or six years. But programmes have increased; the students likewise, as well as other demands. Students still pay FCFA 50,000 and there is no way to raise more money through fees. We are also trying to combat student indiscipline. We’ve dissolved the Students’ Representative Council and the Executive Council. In its place, we have set up an interim student government that will be able to come up with an acceptable students’ union constitution.

The problem of lodging is usually a headache with UB students. What facilities have you this year?

There have not been any improvements in university lodging facilities. But we have the private sector, those who have mini-cités or students’ residential areas around Molyko. There are more and more proprietors putting up buildings for that purpose. Since the number of students is not going to be much different from last year, we do not think that accommodation will pose a particular problem this year. The university’s traditional 100 rooms remain the same. The halls of residence have not increased. But we are about to contract a private South African firm, together with their Cameroonian counterparts, to build 5,000 rooms for students’ accommodation.

The ball is on the side of the company. The university has done what is necessary. We have signed the necessary papers and the land has been allocated. We are waiting for the company to start work soon