The search for the next vice chancellor of Makerere University has officially kicked off after the university council, the highest decision- making organ, approved the criteria and quality of interested candidates.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Irene Ovonji Odida, the chairperson of the search committee, said the process will take three months.
“The process will include meetings, review and analysis of documents, assessment/evaluation of individual candidates by various methods, including interview and public presentation by the shortlisted candidates,” she said.
A search committee is composed of two members from the University Council and three members from the University Senate. Ovonji said the University council and search committee agreed that applicants for the position must be PhD holders aged 40 to 65, a shift from the previous 60-year-age limit.
Prof Ddumba-Ssentamu and his deputy for finance and administration Barnabas Nawangwe, who is said to be interested in competing for the job, are all above 60.
Ovonji said they are synchronizing the difference between the retirement age of a professor and VC, but not favouring any particular individual. The university policy allows a professor to serve until 70 years of age.
Balaba Kabaasa, the chairman Makerere University Appointments Board, who is also a member of the search committee, said the change was possible because of the flexibility of the university’s rules.
“If you are keeping this professor up to 70 [years of age], then you should be able to keep [him/her] as a vice chancellor in case he is the best that you have,” added Balaba.
Besides Ovonji and Balaba, other members of the search committee, are Dr Betty Ezati, Dr Frank Mwine and Prof Joseph Mugisha.
bakerbatte@observer.ug