The Chancellor Dr. Vijoo Rattansi in her speech during the installation of the 8th UoN VC on June 5, 2020 reminded the audience that historically, installation of a Vice Chancellor is an essentially significant and functionally symbolic rite of passage. In a University rich in tradition and heritage, installation is a symbolic rite of transition signifying succession at the helm of the university. It signifies that one leadership era has ended and ushers in a new one.
Dr. Rattansi indicated that she was privileged and indeed honoured to preside over the first installation event, of its kind, in the history of our nation. “Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has confounded us and presented unprecedented challenges, challenges that we must surmount for our own continued survival” she stated.
She thanked the university staff and students for according patience and respect to the Vice Chancellor recruitment, for steering clear of speculative discourse and for refraining from disinformation regarding the process. Over time, it has become evident that staff and student unions are not enemies of university leadership and that they, in fact, commend the top management when they do well. The Chancellor advised that the University’s management should lend a listening ear to staff and student grievances that may arise from time to time. Ultimately, they should all work towards the same goal that focuses on cultivating and bringing out the best in each other.
She indicated that the result of the recruitment process is a Vice Chancellor that best fits the bill for the current needs of the University. It is therefore expected that the new Vice Chancellor and the Deputy Vice Chancellors who serve under him will be bold enough to take tough decisions of reengineering University systems and processes and instituting meaningful reforms in critical areas of organizational structure, governance mechanisms, fiscal and resource management, curricula amongst others.
Dr. Rattansi prayed for wisdom and foresight for the 8th VC and assured him of her unqualified support