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Jan 05, 2004
THE saga over a new Vice Chancellor for Makerere University continues with the incumbent’s contract extended yet again. Prof John Ssebuwufu and his deputy, Prof Opio Epelu, had their terms extended for six months, the fourth time they have had short term contract extensions.
THE saga over a new Vice Chancellor for Makerere University continues with the incumbent’s contract extended yet again. Prof John Ssebuwufu and his deputy, Prof Opio Epelu, had their terms extended for six months, the fourth time they have had short term contract extensions.
Quite apart from the destabilising effect that the saga has had on the two outgoing administrators’ retirement plans, the entire university community suffers for it.
Ssebuwufu and Opio would be hard-pressed to be as effective as they could be, given that their minds are, inevitably, elsewhere, as they would find it difficult to refocus their vision.
This is why it would make sense to appoint persons to act as VC and DVC in the six months, while modalities for the appointment of substantive office bearers are concluded. The process has been long drawn out principally because the University Council, the highest policy making organ, recommended managerial competence, with a PhD and professorship not being requisite but added advantages.
On the other hand, the Senate, Makerere’s supreme academic body, insists on the doctorate and professorship for applicants. Both Senate and Council have a point, though the Inspector General of Government’s recommendation for affirmative action for special interest groups may undermine merit, which Makerere needs.
To balance all these legitimate interests, and to ascertain that Makerere’s status is preserved and augmented, the net should be cast wider by advertising for overseas applications. An applicant so picked, be they Ugandan or foreigner, would then be appointed on, say, a three-year contract that would give the university time to iron out its long term structure and strategic vision. This is where Makerere’s short-term interest lies.
Quite apart from the destabilising effect that the saga has had on the two outgoing administrators’ retirement plans, the entire university community suffers for it.
Ssebuwufu and Opio would be hard-pressed to be as effective as they could be, given that their minds are, inevitably, elsewhere, as they would find it difficult to refocus their vision.
This is why it would make sense to appoint persons to act as VC and DVC in the six months, while modalities for the appointment of substantive office bearers are concluded. The process has been long drawn out principally because the University Council, the highest policy making organ, recommended managerial competence, with a PhD and professorship not being requisite but added advantages.
On the other hand, the Senate, Makerere’s supreme academic body, insists on the doctorate and professorship for applicants. Both Senate and Council have a point, though the Inspector General of Government’s recommendation for affirmative action for special interest groups may undermine merit, which Makerere needs.
To balance all these legitimate interests, and to ascertain that Makerere’s status is preserved and augmented, the net should be cast wider by advertising for overseas applications. An applicant so picked, be they Ugandan or foreigner, would then be appointed on, say, a three-year contract that would give the university time to iron out its long term structure and strategic vision. This is where Makerere’s short-term interest lies.