SWAKOPMUND – The Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (Nimt) board has appointed Ralph Bussel as the new executive director of the institution.
Board chairperson Alfred Mwiya on Wednesday confirmed Bussel’s appointment to New Era.
He was previously employed as the institution’s principal but had been acting as executive director when the position became vacant following the murder of the previous executive director, Eckhart Mueller.
Mueller and a fellow Nimt executive Heinz Heimo Hellwig were gunned down on 15 April 2019 at the entrance of the Nimt offices at Arandis. Former Nimt lecturer Ernst Lichtenstrasser is accused of murdering the two executives.
Mwiya on Wednesday told New Era that three other applicants were interviewed for the position along with Bussel earlier this year. “Bussel was the successful candidate and was permanently employed in the position he was acting in,” Mwiya said.
According to Mwiya, Hellwig’s position is still vacant at this stage, but could not say whether the position will be filled soon.
He added the appointment is one of the positive developments at the institution that has been facing numerous challenges in the past, including financial constraints.
“Nimt has seen some challenges over the years and we are working on ironing out all those issues. We are in the process of totally returning Nimt to the institution it was. Thus we urge all staff and students to rally their support towards the new director and take the institution to greater heights,” he said.
Nimt is a technical vocational training institute in Arandis, established in 1991. It offers courses in mining, manufacturing and engineering. It also has campuses in Keetmanshoop and Tsumeb.