THE Reformed Church University (RCU) has failed to attract full-time students with the Masvingo institution relying only on about 200 students on block release. TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT
The church-run institution was initially established in 2000 as the Great Zimbabwe University, but it collapsed in 2007 due to several operational constraints. RCU then reopened its doors to the public in 2012, but sources said all was not well at the institution based at Morgenster Mission, about 30km outside Masvingo as full-time students are yet to enrol.
“There are less than 200 students on block release and we are yet to enrol conventional students. This also impacts negatively on the university’s coffers,” said the source.
There is also confusion regarding the future of RCU vice-chancellor Wiseman Magwa after the university released a Press statement saying he had resigned, only to make a U-turn a few hours later indicating that he was set to return. Another source said RCU offered only a few degree programmes despite the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education approving several programmes.
The source attributed the “snub” to competition from other well-established universities and added that most people might had lost confidence when the institution was shut down in 2007.
Some of the students were transferred to other universities, but had to start their programmes afresh. RCU chancellor and moderator of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Rev Rangarirai Rutoro expressed ignorance over the operations of the university when contacted for comment.
