New council for new university

In advanced countries, a university’s council is elected by the convocation, a meeting of all the institution’s alumni. For the new University of Science and Technology, the council had to be appointed by the government.
This week, the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Hon Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi announced the names of the University of Science and Technology (NUST) council members in accordance with the provisions of the Namibia University of Science and Technology Act.
“The institution is the connecting vehicle between employment and the industries that employ the graduates. Therefore the graduates should be employable’’ said the minister when he announced the council.
The act makes provision for two categories of council members. Those nominated by the government are Dr Michael Humavindu, Ms Linda Aipinge and Mr Michael Mutonga.
Humavinda was nominated by the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development. Aipionge was nominated by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. Mutonga was nominated by the National Planning Commission.
Those nominated by statutory bodies are Ms. Maureen Kambala, nominated by the Association of Local Authorities, and Dr. Ramond Naanda, nominated by the NCCI.
Members representing key sectors are Mr. Samuel Januarie from the Chamber of Mines, Ms. Esi Schimming-Chase, a legal expert, Mr Markus von Jeney, the President of the Engineering Council, Mr. Goms Menette, an auditing and finance expert, Mrs Kondjeni Nkandi, an architect and Ms. Mercy Situmbeko of the Namibia Employers Federation.
The university council serves a three-year term.