Pwani University has suspended all learning activities indefinitely following six weeks of disruption caused by ongoing industrial action by university staff.
In a notice to students and stakeholders issued on Tuesday, November 4, the University Senate announced that the decision was reached during a special meeting held earlier in the day, bringing academic activities for the First Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year to a halt.
According to the internal memo signed by the Acting Registrar (Academic and Students Affairs), the suspension takes effect immediately, with students advised to vacate university premises no later than Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
"Following the disruption of teaching and learning for the past six (6) weeks of the First Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year occasioned by the ongoing University Staff Industrial Action, the Senate, in its Special Meeting held today, Tuesday, 4th November 2025, resolved to suspend all learning activities with immediate effect until further notice," the memo stated.
The university management has urged students to make necessary arrangements to leave the campus within the stipulated timeline, emphasizing that further updates will be communicated through the University Website, Students' Portal, and other official communication channels.
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While announcing the closure, the University Senate, Management, and the Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation to students for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the period of disruption.
"We regret any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your continued understanding," the memo concluded.
Pwani University's decision comes amid a wave of similar closures affecting public universities across the country, as industrial action by academic and non-academic staff continues to paralyze operations in the higher education sector.
The industrial action has significantly affected the academic calendar, with institutions struggling to balance the need to protect the academic year while addressing legitimate staff concerns.
Other universities that have recently suspended learning include Karatina University, which closed indefinitely except for its School of Health Sciences, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), which temporarily halted academic activities while exempting certain categories of students, including medical students on clinical rotations and those in specialized programs.
"Following disruption of teaching and learning for the last six weeks of the first semester of 2025/2026 academic year occasioned by university staff industrial action, the Senate, in a special meeting held today, Monday, November 3, 2025, recommended the immediate suspension of all learning activities till further notice except for the School of Health Sciences," the Karatina memo read.
