Dr Tjivikua was not in any way involved in the Search Committee or the Council to select and or interview the candidates for the said post-NUST
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has distance itself and Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Tjama Tjivikua from the fake conversations circulating on social media implicating that the VC was caught up in corrupt practices over the selection process of the new VC.
In a press statement the university stated the conversations were fake news and were not that of Tjivikua. “In a concocted WhatsApp conversation which featured on Facebook, an imposter attempted to craft a message to create the impression of so-called dialogue between the Vice-Chancellor and someone else. The posting accused the Vice-Chancellor of “corruption” and called to action “Young friends and AR activists,” shared the statement.
The statement further reads. “The Council and the Vice-Chancellor dismiss with disdain and disgust the attempt to discredit their reputation and the search process,”.
The university also pronounced itself on the appointment of the new VC stating that Tjivikua is not a part of the selection process and that the NUST council is responsible for appointing the new Vice Chancellor. “The process of identifying and securing the services of a new Vice-Chancellor is and has been entirely the domain and oversight of the NUST Council. Dr Tjivikua was not in any way involved in the Search Committee or the Council to select and or interview the candidates for the said post,” said the statement.
While the selection process for a new VC is underway, Tjivikua is working at the institution as acting Vice Chancellor until his contract ends in June.
The fake WhatsApp conversations were posted on activist Job Amupanda’s twitter. Ampupanda said he shared the screenshots for public interest.
