Former University of Botswana Student Representative Council (UB SRC) Presidents have pledged their support to Professor David Norris. The Four (4) Former Presidents; Kago Mokotedi, Mpho Mokolwane, Oteng Vicer Eleck, and Bokang Dumelang issued a joint statement today.
“We have learnt with shock and dismay that some sections of the University of Botswana academics and their trade unions have petitioned Minister of Tertiary Education, Dr. Letsholathebe to fire the UB Vice Chancellor, Professor Norris. The UB trade unions make a litany of complaints against the Vice Chancellor. We take note of such complaints and take a different view on their demand for the firing of the Vice Chancellor. We must categorically state that as former Presidents of the UBSRC, we reject the calls for the Minister to fire the Vice Chancellor.” reads the statement.
According to the Four (4) former student leaders, Professor Norris is doing a remarkable job in steering the University the right direction. In support of the Vice Chancellor, they pointed out how Professor Norris mended sour relations between students and the management which he inherited from the former Vice Chancellors.
Professor David Norris is arguably one Vice Chancellor most loved by the Student Community. In the past, there used to be tensions between the management and the students, the tensions most of the times led to student suspensions. Under Professor Norris’ leadership the student leaders have been enjoying good working relationship with the management. Professor Norris even excused the current SRC President- Carter Joseph when he was facing suspension.
However, the former UBSRC Presidents admit that some of the issues raised by the joint UB staff unions are ligitimate. For those they implored Professor Norris to work towards solving.
“The above notwithstanding, we implore the Vice Chancellor to urgently deal with the concerns raised by the academics and their trade unions. Some of the issues they raise in the petition are legitimate, but the call for the Minister to fire Professor Norris must be rejected with the contempt it deserves. It is just an unfortunate attention seeking stunt!” the four Former Presidents charged.
Just recently, the UBSRC and Graduate Student Association (GSA) also pledged their support to Vice Chancellor Professor Norris.
