New board for institution
- By http://www.thenewage.co.za/Detail.aspx?news_id=46585&cat_id=1008
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Prof Yunus Ballim, deputy vice-chancellor at Wits University, was appointed by Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande as the chairperson of the newly appointed board of National Institute of Higher Education (NIHE) in the Northern Cape. Nzimande announced the appointment of the eight-member board last Thursday when he visited the province. He said the board would oversee the running of the institution, which has been marred by infighting and controversy at management level. Other members who will be serving on the board are Prof Annete Combrick, Dr Michelle Ishmael, Dr Choice Makhetha, Dr R Martin, Chris Matlhaku, Tshepo Pharasi and Dr MJG Vinger. Pharasi is the head of the Northern Cape department of education and Ishmael chief director curriculum assessment and science and technology. The NIHE board is vested with the power and authority to manage, govern and administer the institute and may delegate its power and authority. The board has not yet decided on a date for their first meeting, but it is expected to happen soon as the vacant position of head of the institute needs to be attended to urgently. Since last year September the institution has been operating without a head because the contract of the former head, Dr Kopano Taole, was not renewed. This led to instability in the institution when staff members and students demanded that the previous board reinstate Taole. The staff members forcefully removed the newly appointed head Prof George Summers and made the board resign in January. Last week the students took to the streets and demanded to meet the minister about, among other issues, the matter of Taole’s reinstatement. Meanwhile, the deputy heads of Nihe, Dr Pearl Nkosi and Bernard Farmer, delegations from the Department of Higher Education and Training and student representative council had a “fruitful” meeting where all parties declared their commitment and focused support to work towards restoring peace and order on the Nihe campuses. |
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