NUST restarts vice-chancellor search after first bid falls short
Second round kicks off
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) council has re-advertised the post of vice-chancellor after an initial recruitment process failed to produce an appointment.
The vice-chancellor post, which was first advertised last year through both internal and external channels, has now been reopened, with applications closing on 13 February.
In a statement issued this week, the council said the decision to re-advertise followed a review of the initial recruitment process and was intended to broaden participation, enhance competitiveness and ensure that suitably qualified candidates are given the fullest possible opportunity to apply.
Although the council stopped short of stating that no candidate met the required criteria, the move to restart the process strongly suggests that the earlier recruitment exercise did not produce an acceptable outcome under its approved standards and governance expectations.
According to NUST, the initial recruitment was conducted with the assistance of an independent and reputable recruitment agency and overseen by a council-appointed committee, in line with the university’s statutes, rules and regulations. Despite this, the council resolved to reopen the process, citing the long-term interests of the institution and the Namibian higher education sector.
“The recruitment process is guided by council-approved criteria and established governance procedures that are committed to a transparent, fair and merit-based process,” the statement read.
Smooth transition
However, NUST has not disclosed how many candidates applied during the first recruitment round, whether any were shortlisted or interviewed, or whether candidates were found not to meet the required competencies or leadership profile.
Namibian Sun sought clarity from the university on the number of applications received, whether any candidates met the set criteria, and what specific factors led the council to abandon the initial process, but no response had been received by the time of publication.
To ensure continuity and avoid operational disruption, NUST has maintained interim leadership measures, with Prof Andrew Niikondo continuing in his role as acting vice-chancellor.
The council said these arrangements were necessary to ensure a smooth transition while the recruitment process is finalised.
Governance and accountability
The re-advertisement comes amid a period of heightened scrutiny and uncertainty at NUST following leadership instability over the past year. The institution has been without a substantive vice-chancellor since the suspension of former vice-chancellor Erold Naomab in October last year, shortly before the expiry of his contract.
At the time it was reported that Naomab was placed on precautionary suspension amid allegations linked to financial and administrative misconduct, including a dispute over an alleged N$700 000 legal fee involving a private law firm that had not been formally appointed by council.
The matter was compounded by a whistleblower dossier raising broader governance concerns at the university. Naomab denied wrongdoing, while the council maintained that the suspension did not amount to a finding of guilt and that investigations were necessary to protect institutional integrity.
The controversy, which unfolded alongside council’s decision not to renew Naomab’s contract, cast a shadow over the university’s leadership and raised concerns among staff and stakeholders about governance, accountability and stability at the institution.
Against this backdrop, the failure to conclude a vice-chancellor appointment through the initial recruitment process has intensified questions about whether NUST is struggling to attract or identify a candidate with the leadership profile required to steer the institution through a period of reform and reputational recovery.
Council, however, has reiterated its commitment to a transparent, fair and competitive process and has urged all suitably qualified candidates to apply during the re-advertisement period.
The vice-chancellor post, which was first advertised last year through both internal and external channels, has now been reopened, with applications closing on 13 February.
In a statement issued this week, the council said the decision to re-advertise followed a review of the initial recruitment process and was intended to broaden participation, enhance competitiveness and ensure that suitably qualified candidates are given the fullest possible opportunity to apply.
Although the council stopped short of stating that no candidate met the required criteria, the move to restart the process strongly suggests that the earlier recruitment exercise did not produce an acceptable outcome under its approved standards and governance expectations.
According to NUST, the initial recruitment was conducted with the assistance of an independent and reputable recruitment agency and overseen by a council-appointed committee, in line with the university’s statutes, rules and regulations. Despite this, the council resolved to reopen the process, citing the long-term interests of the institution and the Namibian higher education sector.
“The recruitment process is guided by council-approved criteria and established governance procedures that are committed to a transparent, fair and merit-based process,” the statement read.
Smooth transition
However, NUST has not disclosed how many candidates applied during the first recruitment round, whether any were shortlisted or interviewed, or whether candidates were found not to meet the required competencies or leadership profile.
Namibian Sun sought clarity from the university on the number of applications received, whether any candidates met the set criteria, and what specific factors led the council to abandon the initial process, but no response had been received by the time of publication.
To ensure continuity and avoid operational disruption, NUST has maintained interim leadership measures, with Prof Andrew Niikondo continuing in his role as acting vice-chancellor.
The council said these arrangements were necessary to ensure a smooth transition while the recruitment process is finalised.
Governance and accountability
The re-advertisement comes amid a period of heightened scrutiny and uncertainty at NUST following leadership instability over the past year. The institution has been without a substantive vice-chancellor since the suspension of former vice-chancellor Erold Naomab in October last year, shortly before the expiry of his contract.
At the time it was reported that Naomab was placed on precautionary suspension amid allegations linked to financial and administrative misconduct, including a dispute over an alleged N$700 000 legal fee involving a private law firm that had not been formally appointed by council.
The matter was compounded by a whistleblower dossier raising broader governance concerns at the university. Naomab denied wrongdoing, while the council maintained that the suspension did not amount to a finding of guilt and that investigations were necessary to protect institutional integrity.
The controversy, which unfolded alongside council’s decision not to renew Naomab’s contract, cast a shadow over the university’s leadership and raised concerns among staff and stakeholders about governance, accountability and stability at the institution.
Against this backdrop, the failure to conclude a vice-chancellor appointment through the initial recruitment process has intensified questions about whether NUST is struggling to attract or identify a candidate with the leadership profile required to steer the institution through a period of reform and reputational recovery.
Council, however, has reiterated its commitment to a transparent, fair and competitive process and has urged all suitably qualified candidates to apply during the re-advertisement period.
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