The University of Durban-Westville (UDW) has backed down, apparently under government pressure, on its plans to appoint a new vice-chancellor for a three-year period of office.
In September the university advertised for a new vice-chancellor to take office on January 1 for three years. The move raised eyebrows within UDW and beyond because its merger with University of Natal is widely considered not only a certainty but likely to be implemented within a year.
New senior appointments at institutions mooted for merging have always raised the strong likelihood that taxpayers’ money would be poured into golden handshakes for officials who do not obtain an equivalent position in the new, merged institution.
The Mail & Guardian reported in September that educationists viewed UDW’s determination to press ahead with a three-year appointment as a sign of opposition to merger proposals the Cabinet endorsed in principle six months ago. A three-month period for comment on the proposals ended on October 4, and Minister of Education Kader Asmal will now take recommendations to the Cabinet by the end of the year for final approval.
Last week the UDW council decided to offer a one-year contract only for a new vice-chancellor. The M&G understands that this follows the Ministry of Education’s intervention, but could not obtain confirmation from the ministry on this point.
UDW council chairperson Namane Magau told the M&G that the council, ”noting the rapid changes relating to the merger of universities in the region, realised the need to limit the period of office … This decision creates flexibility in terms of new structures that will need to be created to facilitate the merger process.”
The university received 11 applications in response to its original advertisement. All will now need to be informed of the council’s change of heart, and some councillors and senior staff believe that the post should be re-advertised.
Council member Dr Saths Cooper, who is one of five shortlisted from the 11 applications, told the M&G, ”When we proposed a three-year period, I had no desire to be a candidate … We felt that this period would allow a fair response from credible candidates.
”But we have had indications from the ministry that because the merger is on track it would be better to go for a shorter period … In a bizarre way, one year suits me. We’re not dealing with a level playing field, nor comparing apples with apples: the University of Natal is better endowed with academic, financial and management qualities … I have no desire to be the vice-chancellor of any new institution.”