Windhoek
The newly appointed members of the University of Science and Technology (NUST) council have been cautioned against internal squabbles that divided the previous council to the extent that it could not agree on anything.
Minister of Higher Education Itah Kandjii-Murangi, in response to questions by New Era regarding the divisions that existed in the previous council, said the new council would have to work towards taking the university to greater heights in terms of the development of scientific research programmes.
“We expect each and every one [of the council members] to bring their part to transform NUST into a national university of science and technology, one whose scientific research leads to tangible solutions that will address and redress the national challenges, such as water shortage, renewable energy, unemployment, land and housing,” she said.
NUST’s previous council was plagued by internal squabbles over the past three years, which deteriorated to an extent that it corroded the working relationship between the university management and council members.
Kandjii-Murangi had to step in and during December 2015 relieved the entire council members of their duties, leaving NUST without a council for more than six months until the appointment of new council members this week. None of the previous council members were re-appointed.
“We took time to get the best diverse mix of experts to constitute this council,” said the minister in explaining why it took so long to appoint a new council.
“We need a strong and robust development programme that will speak to the National Development Goals, Vision 2030 and Harambee Prosperity Plan. Well, I know it’s there, but we need to expand and accelerate into the critical scientific research that will resolve some of the challenges facing the country.
“We are a drought-prone country and water shortage is a challenge. What are our scientists doing in terms of leading us to opportunities such as harvesting water during rainy season? We’re a country with a shortage of food. What are we doing to come up with strategies to help resolve these challenges,” she said of the priority areas that require a scientific approach.
She also emphasised the need to cultivate good working relations between council members and NUST management. She added that council members who are responsible for the broad governance of the intuition should identify what type of relations they would like to see and lay the parameters of how best such relations can be fostered.
“What is critical for all these boards, council members and directors of institutions is corporate governance training. Here we have a new board. I know they will have to undergo that training. I know many of them have served on boards before and they had that exposure, but it is necessary for it to be done this time around with the direct relevance to the institution they are serving,” she says.
One of the new council members, Markus von Jeney, said they would strive to ensure that engineering programmes offered by NUST meet international standards. “We will ensure that our people don’t only strive locally, but are also accepted internationally,” he said.
The newly-appointed NUST council members include Jeney from the Engineering Council of Namibia, Advocate Esi Shimming-Chase from the Law Society of Namibia, Maureen Kambala of the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia, Micheal Mutonga of the National Planning Commission, Samuel Januarie of the Chamber of Mines, Mercy Situmbeko of the Namibia Employers Federation, Kondjeni Nkandi representing the country’s architectural body, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development Dr Micheal Hamavindu, Goms Menette from the Office of Auditor General, Linda Aipinge from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Dr Ramond Naanda from the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.