Nyagura to leave UZ: Council

Source: Nyagura to leave UZ: Council | The Herald April 5, 2019

Prof Nyagura

Bulawayo Bureau
SUSPENDED University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura is set to leave the institution at the end of this year and the hunt for his successor has already started.Prof Nyagura is embroiled in a legal battle following accusations that he illegally awarded former First Lady Grace Mugabe a PhD. In an interview, UZ Council chairman Dr Anxious Masuka confirmed that Prof Nyagura was expected to leave the institution at the end of the year when his contract expires.

“His contract ends December 31, 2019 so we are just doing the succession as it takes 10 months to get a VC. That’s a natural process and there is nothing untoward about that,” said Dr Masuka.

According to a vacancy notice, the UZ is looking for a visionary and strategic leader to champion the University’s vision and strategic objectives and the broader context of national development.

The candidate must be a holder of an earned Doctorate Degree from a recognised university and be a full professor; have at least 10 years working experience at senior administrative level in a related higher and tertiary education or research institution among other specifications.

The successful candidate would be offered a five-year performance renewable contract and the application deadline is April 26.

Allegations against Nyagura are that sometime in 2011, he single-handedly accepted and approved Mrs Mugabe’s application to study for a PhD in Sociology without the knowledge of the Department Board and Faculty of Higher Degrees Committee.

The State alleges that Nyagura went on to appoint two professors to supervise Mrs Mugabe’s thesis without the board’s approval.