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Aug. 6, 2021

STAFF REPORTER

4 min read

New VC vows to overcome NUL challenges

New VC vows to overcome NUL challenges

The new NUL VC, Prof Isaac Olusola Fajana

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WITH all the ingenuity that exists at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), Professor Isaac Olusola Fajana has vowed to overcome challenges faced by the university, help Lesotho and the whole world while at the same time improving the quality of programmes.

He was installed as the 10th Vice Chancellor (VC) of NUL, the main and oldest university in Lesotho, on Monday.

“A university is always looked up to for solving problems of a community but the best way to achieve this is to start first by solving the university’s own problems,” Prof Fajana said in his acceptance speech.

He assured the university’s executive management and the whole NUL community that he will uphold the values of the university and demonstrate virtues of an authentic leader.

“I promise to work well with all of you. With so many people from diverse backgrounds, a university is the best place to uphold the values of diversity, equality and inclusion to ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all in order to avoid prejudice and discrimination,” he said.

Prof Fajana took over from Prof Kananelo Mosito, who was appointed in an acting position in November 2019 following the departure of Prof ’Manthoto Lephoto who also acted from May 2019, when the substantive VC, Prof Nqosa Leuta Mahao resigned.

Prof Mahao’s departure brought an end to a stint that lasted almost five years from November 2014.

“By following the principles of management, harnessing the NUL values, embracing equality and diversity as well as taking constructive criticism, you will be able to lead this university and take it to greater heights,” chairman of the NUL council, advocate Kuena Mophethe, said in her welcome remarks.

“The University faces many challenges which are mostly finance-related, but we are all here to support you to steer this ship to prosperity and good global standing,” she said.

Mophethe also expressed deep appreciation to Prof Mosito for holding the fort for almost two years. .

She emphasised that it was of utmost importance for the new VC to communicate with all constituencies to ensure that his intentions are received by all so that NUL community adapts and embraces the changes he brings forth.

According to the statement released by the University on Monday, Professor Fajana was “born and bred in Nigeria”, and is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Industrial Relations from the University of Lagos, Nigeria acquired in 1991.

“He also holds a Master of Science in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the same university in 1985, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria acquired in 1981,” reads the NUL statement.

He has a vast teaching experience obtained from a number of universities, according to the statement. He attained the rank of full Professor in 2002 and has held positions of Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer at the Joseph Ayo Babalola University from 2011 to 2018.

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He has also been Vice-Chancellor Designate and a member of the Planning Committee for the then Proposed Zion University in Akure from 2006 to 2011, the statement further indicates.

It adds: “Prof Fajana was the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration in the University of Lagos from 2006 to 2007 and Head of Department for two terms in the same university.”

NUL further says Prof Fajana is an acclaimed publisher who is also the current Chairman of the Planning and Implementing Committee of the Proposed Vision of the University of Ikogbo-Igbesa since 2019.

“He has been a member of Council of the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and the Nigeria Industrial Relations Association since 1989. He was also a council member for the University of Lagos,” it says. LeNA

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