Mzuzu University (Mzuni) has disciplined 27 students for alleged academic misconduct and dishonesty during the end of first and second semester examinations in the 2024 academic year.
Mzuni registrar Yonamu Ngwira, in a communication dated December 2 2024 addressed to all staff and students, said that out of the 27 disciplined students, 13 have been expelled while 11 have been suspended for two academic years each and will redo some courses.
There are also two others suspended for one academic year each and also ordered to redo some courses.
Further, Mzuni has issued a warning to one student while another has been discharged after being found not guilty.
Of the expelled students, seven were in third year, three in second year, two in first year and one in fourth year.
Reads the memo in part: “The above outcomes are with immediate effect. The suspended students are required to obtain clearance forms from the registry and clear them with relevant departments.
“Students who are not satisfied with their outcome have the right to appeal to the Vice- Chancellor within 21 days. Meanwhile, the above decisions remain in force.”
Sources at Mzuni indicated that the majority of the students were disciplined for plagiarism and abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) materials during the end of semester examinations.
In an interview on the development, Civil Society Educat ion Coal i t ion ex e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r Bened icto Kondowe commended Mzuni for the decision.
He said that expulsions and suspensions point to the fact that institutions of higher learning were now getting tough to ensure that students are awarded based on their knowledge.
Mzuni spokesperson Cliff Kawanga did not pick up his calls on several attempts.
In recent years, several public universities have reprimanded students over suspected malpractices during examinations.
