1.0 Preamble
The Governing Council of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (hereafter also called the COOU), Anambra State, hereby announces that the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University is vacant. In accordance with the provisions of the COOU Law of 2014 and all relevant statutory instruments governing the university, including the Statutes and Ordinance, the Council directs that applications be invited from suitably qualified and distinguished Professors with cognate experience in university leadership, teaching, and research.
2.0 About the COOU
By Law No. 13 of 2000, the Anambra State Government established the Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH). The University began operation in Uli on premises inherited from the former Ekwenugo Okeke Polytechnic and College of Agriculture. From campuses located first in Uli and then Igbariam, the University has grown over the past quarter century into a distinguished institution with a rich history of academic excellence.
In 2006, a commitment to academic progress led to significant evolution as the University transitioned to Anambra State University (ANSU), aligning with the recommendations for a conventional university structure.
In 2014, the Anambra State Government (ANSG) repealed and replaced the Law No. 13 of 2000 with the enactment of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (COOU) Law, which is the current law governing the University. This law established the University with three campuses respectively located in Awka, Igbariam, and Uli.
In addition to the traditional roles of a public university in Nigeria, the COOU also has a statutory mandate to:
(a) Stimulate, promote and entrench interest in education and application of the law, medical sciences, the humanities, social sciences, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, pure sciences and technology;
(b) Promote by research and other means the advancement of knowledge and its practical application in social, political, cultural, agricultural, economic, science and technological problems; (c) Stimulate, particularly through teaching and research, interest in the appreciation of African culture and heritage;
(d) Promote and propagate the social heritage of Anambra State;
(e) Stimulate and sustain interest in Agriculture; and
(f) Serve as a major instrument for the implementation of the policy of Anambra State on higher education.
Under Section 5 of the COOU Law of 2014, “the University shall be a teaching, research and examining body”. The motto of the University is “Knowledge for Development.”
Mission
The mission of the COOU is to provide a platform for teaching, learning, and research in science, technology, and humanities. Produce graduates who are skilled, creative, and contribute to society. Vision
The vision of the COOU is to be a university of excellence in teaching, learning, and research that serves humanity through socially responsible and multi-skilled citizens.
Equal Opportunities
Under section 7 of the COOU Law, the university is an equal opportunities employer and “shall be open to all persons of either sex or of whatever race, ethnic group, or place of origin, religion, political or other opinion, nationality or class.”
3.0 The Job
The position of Vice-Chancellor is a strategic leadership position of the utmost salience in the COOU. The Vice-Chancellor is also the Chief Executive and Academic Officer of the University. S/he is the ex-officio Chairperson of Senate and a member of the Governing Council.
The Vice-Chancellor is responsible to Council in matters of policy implementation in the areas of finance, property, estates and facilities, general and effective administration of the institution. The Vice-Chancellor is also responsible to the University Senate for the administration of academic programmes, and staff and students’ discipline in consonance with university law and all extant rules and regulations thereunder.
The Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a single, non-renewable tenure of not more than five years subject to good behaviour.
4.0 The Candidate
The candidate for the position of Vice-Chancellor shall be a professor of distinction and experience with demonstrated leadership record and capabilities on the date of this advertisement. The person shall be not more than 65 years old at the date of appointment and shall also possess a Doctorate degree in a field of study tenable in the university. The candidate will have at least 15 years of experience in teaching, research, service and/or leadership in the university system within or outside Nigeria, demonstrating the highest levels of integrity, competence and a record of service. In accordance with the provisions of Article II of the University Ordinance, a candidate for the post of Vice-Chancellor shall exhibit demonstrable qualities of academic and moral leadership. The candidate should possess the ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships with the University community (staff and students), the Alumni, Government, enterprise and the general public (national and international). The person must show evidence of high-level managerial and executive capacity in the administration of higher education institutions. Specifically:
(a) The person to be appointed shall have a very sound university education and s/he must have a distinction in an academic discipline. The person’s academic standing and reputation must be sufficiently high to command national and international respect, particularly in the academic world, such that it would enhance the good reputation already established for the university.
(b) The appointee must have had considerable administrative experience and must have the qualities of a good manager of human and material resources;
(c) The person must be capable of giving dynamic leadership to the COOU, and be able to command respect and loyalty of both the staff and students;
(d) The appointee must be a person of courage and humaneness who can take decisions on the merit of facts and principles, and not on the basis of pressures from individuals or groups. S/he must be a person of unassailable integrity;
(e) The appointee must be a person who is not implicated in or likely to pursue racial, ethnic, political, religious or other sectional interests;
(f) The appointee must be committed to the ideas of the university as a republic of learning, not only in the context of national social relevance and of international scholastic excellence but also in the context of the COOU’s philosophy of a “Development University.”
(g) The appointee shall possess such personality and skills as can attract, manage and account for funding from both the local and international communities to supplement government subventions, if any.
Additionally, the successful candidate shall:
(h) provide evidence of successful supervision of postgraduate students especially at the Ph.D. level;
(i) be physically and mentally fit to undertake the duties required of a Vice-Chancellor and other assigned functions as directed by the University Governing Council. The Governing Council may require short-listed candidates to provide evidence of medical fitness or undergo suitable evaluation under conditions that will be communicated; and
(i) Accompany their application with a written essay spelling out his or her vision and ambitions for the University, including an indicative sequencing or implementation framework for the ideas in not more than 750 words.
5.0 Method of Application
Interested candidates shall submit 15 copies of their application along with 15 copies of their Curriculum Vitae and a suitable passport photograph which shall contain the following: (i) Full Name;
(ii) Date of Birth;
(iii) Marital Status;
(iv) Educational Qualifications;
(v) Origins and Nationality:
(vi) Professional and Academic Achievements; (vii) Community Service rendered;
(viii) Publications (Listed in chronological order); (ix) National and International Honours/Awards; (x) Positions held (with dates);
(xi) Any other relevant information.
(xii) The application package shall include in the candidate’s essay spelling out his or her vision and ambitions for the University including an indicative framework for sequencing or implementation of the ideas in not more than 750 words.
(xiii) In the case of a candidate identified and nominated by the Search or Nomination Committee, the Curriculum Vitae must be accompanied by a letter of consent, duly signed and dated by the candidate.
(xiv) All candidates must supply on their application forms the names and addresses of three referees. The referees shall include at least one male; one female. One of the three referees shall be a non-Nigerian conversant with the work, ideas, values and abilities of the candidate. Each referee must be contacted by the applicant to forward a confidential report directly to the Registrar. The reference shall include an explicit certification that the candidate has had no hand in its preparation. The Governing Council shall reserve the right to speak directly with the referees.
6.0 Submission of Application
(i) The sealed envelope containing the completed application should be boldly marked “POST OF VICE-CHANCELLOR, COOU” at the top left-hand corner of the envelope.
(ii) All applications are to be submitted in hard copy under confidential cover to the Registrar and Secretariat to Council, COOU to reach the office not later than eight (8) weeks from the date of this advertisement.
(iii) Applications received later than 15:00 hours on the last day will not be accepted or processed. (iv) The Registrar shall provide to each applicant a time stamp of when their applications are received. Applicants shall also forward all their applications by e-mail to govcouncil@coou.edu.ng and registrar@coou.edu.ng
7.0 Salary and Conditions of Service
The Salary and Conditions of service are as applicable to the post of Vice-Chancellor under the COOU Law or as may be determined by the Governing Council from time to time.
Signed:
Chris U Obi, mnim, fipma, ksc
REGISTRAR AND SECRETARY TO COUNCIL.
