Windhoek
The University of Namibia (Unam) has appointed its chief librarian, Ellen Namhila, as pro-vice-chancellor (PVC) for administration and finance.
The position was left vacant when Dr Boniface Mutumba resigned in April this year, after being suspended by the university authorities.
Mutumba’s suspension followed his arrest by the Anti-Corruption Commission in June last year. He was charged with contravening the Anti-Corruption Act due to abuse of office, along with former colleague Ruben Prinz.
Unam’s search for a PVC for administration and finance was not a walk in the park. The three shortlisted candidates for the post included Namhila, who successfully emerged as the best candidate. She beat the university’s director for communications and marketing, Edwin Tjiramba, and Claretta Gamses, an accounting and auditing lecturer in the Faculty of Management Science.
The three candidates battled it out during a public lecture organized by the university on July16, where each made a presentation on why they thought they should be appointed, how they would help better manage the affairs of the institution and on their plans to effect change.
Unam’s spokesperson John Haufiku yesterday confirmed Namhila’s appointment.
A circular signed by Unam vice-chancellor, Lazarus Hangula, says Namhila will serve in the PVC position for a period of five years with effect from September 1, 2015 on terms and conditions as prescribed in the Unam Act 18 of 1992, and the university statutes.
Unlike many institutions in Namibia where applicants are assessed behind closed doors, Unam’s interview process for top jobs, such as the PVC and registrar positions, takes on a totally transparent process through public lectures.
Haufiku explained the PVC position is of “imponderable value” to the university, like other similar positions, such as that of the registrar.
According to Haufiku, there is a special committee of the University Council that prepared the conditions and oversaw the whole process of appointment.
This year a master’s degree was a pre-requisite, whereas a higher qualification would have been an added advantage.
In April this year Mutumba resigned without any conditions attached, which Haufiku had said effectively concluded all internal disciplinary procedures that were pending against him.
Former registrar Alois Fledersbacher was appointed within 24 hours to act in Mutumba’s position, which he did until his term ended on June 31.
Fledersbacher has since been replaced by Dr Sifiso Nyathi as the new registrar.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that Mutumba, a member of the university’s tender board, was involved in awarding a N$16 million tender for the construction of hostel facilities at the university’s Neudamm campus, to an undeserving company.
It was also reported that Unam’s vice-chancellor, Lazarus Hangula, had initiated the ACC investigation of the tender process, after discovering some irregularities. Co-accused Prinz, at the instruction of Mutumba, allegedly left out certain details regarding the company he recommended to the tender board, thus providing them with incorrect information during his motivation.