Speaking to Cameroon-Info.Net Monday, Bamnjo made clarifications “in response to a write-up that has been circulating on social media alleging the exploitation OF students of our prestigious university.”

It is expected that every student in the University of Bamenda (UBa) received orientation and attended the matriculation ceremony before beginning his/her studies, he said. As such, they should have had sufficient information on the functioning of the university.

“In any case, students of goodwill will bear with me that if we didn't have this devoted and selfless administration in place to pilot the affairs of the university at a time like this, our university would have crumbled by now given the challenges we are all witnesses to,” said Bamnjo. “It is therefore surprising that besides the difficulties we are already grappling with, some persons are still out to make them even more difficulty.”

On claims that Caution Fees are not being refunded, Bamnjo said: “Every student pays a refundable caution fee of FCFA 10,000 at the beginning of their very first semester. Upon graduation, they are expected to present their clearance at the Accounting Office. If such a student did not destroy any university property, their caution fee is refunded in its entirety. The Refundable Caution was authorized by the UBa Council three years ago and the first batch of those to receive this caution was ripe in December 2019. So, those who graduated in December can present their clearance document progressively and claim their caution fee.”

In addressing issues of a FCFA 5,000 Medical Fee and FCFA 3,700 Medical Insurance, the postgraduate student familiar with the functioning of UBa reacted thus: “Each student pays a Medical Fee. This fee is nothing compared to the free treatment that we receive in case of ill-health while in school. Personally, for the past three years I have been in UBa, I have visited the health unit twice and I have been treated at no cost for problems that might have cost me at least FCFA 20,000 elsewhere. This is besides the regular tests students do every year for free.

“About the Medical Insurance, it is true that to follow up insurance generally needs a lot of patience. Those who have had an experience with any insurance company will bear me witness that it is easy to pay and complicated to benefit. The difficulties notwithstanding, an insurance claims application has been compiled for two students of the National Higher Polytechnic Institute (NAHPI) of the University of Bamenda. The concerned students are: Fonyuy Gilford, Year II student of the Department of Computer Engineering who was shot in crossfire around campus and Animbom Clovis, a year II student of the department of Mechanical Engineering who died during internship last academic year.”

That students have to pay FCFA 500 charge to access their results online, Bamnjo said this is simply a platform charge aimed at easing things for students. “Results are available at the various departments and can be consulted at any time by students for free. But those who are far away from the university and for one reason or another cannot come to check their results, they can access it online.”

Bamnjo ends by telling students that the University of Bamenda administration has an open-door policy. As such, students should not hesitate to approach the administration if they have any difficulties. He said the office of the Student Union is also open at all times to help students make informed decisions, as well as ease their stay at the university.