Harare — The Australian Embassy through the United Nations Children's Fund has commissioned nine boreholes at the University of Zimbabwe to alleviate the water crisis that has affected the institution for the past two years.

In a speech read on his behalf, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Stan Mudenge, said Government was grateful for the initiative as the UZ was facing water problems at a time the City of Harare could not provide adequate supplies.

"The water problems forced the University of Zimbabwe to close its doors to the majority of undergraduate students for the greater part of 2009 at the time when cholera threatened human lives.

"The unique gesture of friendship offered by Unicef through drilling of boreholes at the University of Zimbabwe confirms, not only to the institution but to the nation as a whole, that indeed we have partners out there who share the same vision as ours in prioritising higher education," Minister Mudenge said.

He commended Unicef for the continued support the organisation gave the country at the time of its deepest need.

Australian ambassador Mr John Courtney said the boreholes were vital back-up for the university's water supply, which has not been spared over the past three years when water supplies in cities and towns had been erratic.

"With the assistance through Unicef to restore safe drinking water to the University of Zimbabwe it is an important part of Australia's support for restoring basic services to the people of Zimbabwe," said Mr Courtney.

He said his Government was pleased to be associated with the project to boost the supply of clean and safe water to the institution to brighten the training of future leaders of Zimbabwe.

"The boreholes, which will remain an important back-up system for the university even after the main water supply is re-established, have been designed to provide high quality water that meets World Health Organisation standards," he said.

He said Australia was committed to working in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and other donors to assist with the restoration of essential basic services for the people of Zimbabwe.

Unicef representative Dr Peter Salama said his organisation realised the need to ensure that 12 500 students at the institution were not deprived of learning time.

He commended the Australian government for the support it rendered.

"I thank the Australian government for intervening to ensure drilling of these boreholes, normal activities have resumed within the campus. I also acknowledge the support of other international donors and community members to ensure that the water problems that had hit Zimbabwe are addressed," said Dr Salama.

Nine boreholes, with a depth of between 40-67 metres, have been commissioned at the UZfor the benefit of 13 000 students and workers at the university. Five boreholes have been connected to the main pump while four others have been fitted with high yield submersible pumps and this has ensured that the UZ has 160 000 litres of water at its disposal.