Jooste seeks answers on Nust VC appointment
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste is seeking answers on how the recent recruitment of the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s (Nust) vice-chancellor was conducted, as academic Frednard Gideon files a new motion in court to challenge why he was overlooked for the cushy job.
Gideon’s University of Namibia (Unam) colleague Erold Naomab was recently appointed as Nust vice-chancellor although the former emerged with more points from the overall interview process.
The High Court last week dismissed Gideon’s attempt to interdict the appointment, but the court did not rule on the merits of his displeasure.
Gideon, through his lawyer Sisa Namandje, has since filed a new motion. According to official information, he scored 5% higher than Naomab in the comprehensive interviews.
Earlier probe
Jooste, writing to the chairperson of the Nust council Florette Nakusera, said: “The recruitment of the vice-chancellor of NUST has attracted several negative media coverage and public interest. As an oversight institution responsible for good corporate governance for public enterprises in Namibia, it is imperative that we analyse the facts to identify any potential shortcomings and to prevent a similar occurrence in future”.
His letter was written on 20 November. Namibian Sun understands that Nakusera has written back to Jooste and informed him that the appointment of Naomab - ahead of Gideon - was above board.
Gideon had challenged the appointment, saying in court papers that his interview scores were above those of Naomab and that Naomab had reported to him during his employment at Unam.
Naomab had been Unam’s southern campus assistant pro vice-chancellor.
Filing an appeal, Gideon asked the court to order a review and set aside Naomab’s appointment as vice-chancellor as well as decisions taken by the chairperson of the NUST council and the chairperson of the joint search committee, and to declare processes undertaken by them unlawful.
Gideon had also requested that a full record of the decisions reached to appoint Naomab be availed, including deliberations and all other relevant court documents.
Setback
Delivering his judgement last week, judge Miller ruled that despite Gideon’s opposition, the institution had been without a vice-chancellor for some time while its recruitment process dragged on. “In weighing these considerations one against the other, coupled as of necessity it must be, by likelihood of possible irreparable harm, which I dealt with, I must conclude that the balance of convenience favours the respondents [Nust, Goamab] and not the applicant [Gideon],” Miller ruled.
This marked the second attempt by Gideon in his bid to be appointed Nust vice-chancellor.
Gideon and Naomab had both applied for the position in 2019 following the retirement of founding vice-chancellor, Tjama Tjivikua.
Gideon’s suit was dismissed with costs.
WINDHOEK
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste is seeking answers on how the recent recruitment of the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s (Nust) vice-chancellor was conducted, as academic Frednard Gideon files a new motion in court to challenge why he was overlooked for the cushy job.
Gideon’s University of Namibia (Unam) colleague Erold Naomab was recently appointed as Nust vice-chancellor although the former emerged with more points from the overall interview process.
The High Court last week dismissed Gideon’s attempt to interdict the appointment, but the court did not rule on the merits of his displeasure.
Gideon, through his lawyer Sisa Namandje, has since filed a new motion. According to official information, he scored 5% higher than Naomab in the comprehensive interviews.
Earlier probe
Jooste, writing to the chairperson of the Nust council Florette Nakusera, said: “The recruitment of the vice-chancellor of NUST has attracted several negative media coverage and public interest. As an oversight institution responsible for good corporate governance for public enterprises in Namibia, it is imperative that we analyse the facts to identify any potential shortcomings and to prevent a similar occurrence in future”.
His letter was written on 20 November. Namibian Sun understands that Nakusera has written back to Jooste and informed him that the appointment of Naomab - ahead of Gideon - was above board.
Gideon had challenged the appointment, saying in court papers that his interview scores were above those of Naomab and that Naomab had reported to him during his employment at Unam.
Naomab had been Unam’s southern campus assistant pro vice-chancellor.
Filing an appeal, Gideon asked the court to order a review and set aside Naomab’s appointment as vice-chancellor as well as decisions taken by the chairperson of the NUST council and the chairperson of the joint search committee, and to declare processes undertaken by them unlawful.
Gideon had also requested that a full record of the decisions reached to appoint Naomab be availed, including deliberations and all other relevant court documents.
Setback
Delivering his judgement last week, judge Miller ruled that despite Gideon’s opposition, the institution had been without a vice-chancellor for some time while its recruitment process dragged on. “In weighing these considerations one against the other, coupled as of necessity it must be, by likelihood of possible irreparable harm, which I dealt with, I must conclude that the balance of convenience favours the respondents [Nust, Goamab] and not the applicant [Gideon],” Miller ruled.
This marked the second attempt by Gideon in his bid to be appointed Nust vice-chancellor.
Gideon and Naomab had both applied for the position in 2019 following the retirement of founding vice-chancellor, Tjama Tjivikua.
Gideon’s suit was dismissed with costs.
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