Unam appointments cause concern

WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT

Apparent irregularities in the appointment and recruitment process at the University of Namibia have come under the spotlight after a document surfaced highlighting concerns expressed over appointments at the university.
The document specifically mentions the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) as an area of concern and puts the appointment of the faculty dean in the Department of Animal Science, Professor Francisco Mausse, under the spotlight.
Not only raising questions about Mausse's academic credentials and qualifications, it also questions whether the proper procedures were followed in appointing him at the university.
These issues were apparently brought to the attention of the vice-chancellor, Lazarus Hangula, last year December already but since then the matter has died a silent death.
According to the document, Mausse who is a Mozambican citizen, joined the university in March 2011 and was appointed as faculty dean in November 2011.
It is alleged that upon his arrival at Unam instructions were given to accommodate him, whether there was a vacant position in the department or not. Mausse was given the academic rank of professor, states the document.
In terms of Unam's regulations, to be awarded a rank of professor one must acquire 34 academic points, which amounts to 17 publications of which seven must have been published at the rank of a senior lecturer, and six of the seven publications must be in peer-reviewed journals.
Unam guidelines require that academic staff must have lectured for five continuous years at an institution of higher learning to qualify for the position of a faculty dean.
"Mausse worked as a technician with the ministry of agriculture in Mozambique, but within eight months of service at Unam, Mausse took over the deanship of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources," states the document.
Unam public relations officer Utaara Hoveka told Namibian Sun that Mausse was headhunted after the position was unsuccessfully advertised.
Questions about whether the position was vacant, and when it was advertised, remain unanswered.
Asked about Mausse's qualifications and credentials, Hoveka said that Prof. Mausse has a Masters in Animal Husbandry and doctorate degree in BioTechnology adding that his qualifications and experience are useful for medicine, veterinary services and animal science.
Mausses held the rank of Professor before he joined UNAM, according to Hoveka.
"Head hunting for senior positions such as that of Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture is not something peculiar UNAM, but a common practice especially for senior positions where skills and expertise is scare," said Hoveka.
However the document slammed the appointment even going as far as calling it corrupt.
The appointment of staff at UNAM raises concern among the academic staff particularly at the FANR who felt that the staff appointment procedure is not being adhered to and the recruitment of Mausse are tantamount to corruption,"
"The corrupt practices extremely discourage the academics. Due to the fact that Professor Mausse barely stayed in the system for more than one year, he has no knowledge of the rules and regulations of UNAM and particularly on the academic environment and that of FANR."
Academic staff at the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources held a meeting with the Hangula, at the beginning of December to bring these concerns under his attention. The group was then promised
That they would be provided with copies of Mausse's publications, a copy of the advertisement for the position occupied by Mausse's as well as a copy of the minutes of the interview where Mausse's was interviewed. Up till now they have had no further feedback.