“You are appointed to posts of responsibility not posts of opportunities”

-UBa VC tells appointed officials

By Njodzefe Nestor

Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda, UBa, Prof Nkuo Therese Akenji

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda, UBa, Prof Nkuo Therese Akenji has reminded some 125 newly appointed officials of the University that their appointments are not an opportunity for them to exhibit their opportunistic and selfish tendencies but a call to service for the general good of the university largely referred to as the “University of the Future”.

                While installing them to their functions on September 15, 2017 at the University Campus, the VC also prescribed “honesty, respect for hierarchy, and commitment” as their watch words.

                The 125 officials comprising of Deputy Directors of Schools, Vice Deans of Faculties, Directors of Studies, Secretaries General, Heads of Department, Heads of Division, Coordinators amongst others were appointed by Ministerial Decree number 17/0079/Minsup of August 21, 2017.

                “The confederation of those appointed attest to the fact that they come from various backgrounds: University Lecturers, Secondary School Teachers, Contract Workers and State Agents. By and large, the appointment has taken cognizance of the socio-cultural and socio-linguistic exigencies of our Cameroonian society”, observed the VC in her installation speech. 

                Before proceeding to install them, Prof Nkuo Therese Akenji congratulated the officials for coming to value the confidence bestowed on them by the Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, Chancellor of Academic Orders” while imploring them to work hard to justify the confidence.

                 “You will be expected to be self-disciplined and not fall prey to certain malpractices which the University generally considers unacceptable. Resist all temptations towards corrupt practices or any unethical behavior that can attract disciplinary sanctions you” Prof Akenji warned.

                The Vice Chancellor also recommended that confidentiality should be their most cherished quality and called on them “not to leak out official information to members of the public” and “not to speak on behalf of the university without authorization.

                “I call on you to respect republican values especially at this trying moments of our country’s History” she added. 

                To those officials who are coming from secondary Education, she reminded them that “working at the University does not automatically give them the advantages of Higher Education. She was however categorical that hard work will be compensated and promotions will be based on merit.

                The installation came just two months after the installations of Deans, Registrar and Directors appointed by a presidential decree of 27 June 2017.

                Created by Decree NO 2010/371 of the 14th December 2010, the University of Bamenda cum University of the future is the last of the eight state Universities in Cameroon. According to sources at the university, the estimated space available is 699 hectares and enrollment has grown from 5600 students in 2011 to 16,000 in 2016 representing a growing rate of 25 percent per year.