The University of Botswana (UB) has of late been hit by allegations of corruption, maladministration and academic dishonesty. The accusations paint the institution in a bad light but Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, is of the view that it is all malice from inside the university, writes Mmegi Correspondent LARONA MAKHAIZA
The allegations have cast aspersions on the institution’s reputation, raising questions about its management and academic integrity. They span from Tshephang Mabaila’s academic fraud, former vice president Slumber Tsogwane’s Masters' degree credentials, favouring students and the Vice Chancellor fearing for his job. However, in an interview with Mmegi this week, the VC stated that this is a vicious attack against him and the university. Norris stated that it is people from the university that are feeding others with wrong information to soil his name and the university’s reputation. “This is all malice from within (the university). There is a case of Mabaila, which was perpetuated from within,” Norris said. Norris indicated that there is a faction of people from the university that is against reforming and turning the institution into a high performance organisation, which is paddling the malice. “This stems from the High Performance Organisation (HPO) transformation because we require that you must do research, publish at a reputable organisation and also one must hold a Doctor of Philosophy, but some people are against that in the university,” he said
He revealed that it is lecturers that are against this transformation as he realised that the university is falling behind in education. “We are lacking on teaching, the number of PhD holders is low and the number of post graduate students is low. And there is a group of lecturers that is against this,” he complained. On Mabaila’s case, Norris shared that the university dealt with the matter in the best way that they could and followed the right channels. He added that he was not even part of the panel that presided over his case. “On February 28, 2024, I wrote to Mabaila telling him the decision that was taken by the disciplinary committee of which I was not even part of. Mabaila even received the letter and signed it on March 8, 2024,” Norris said. Furthermore, Norris shared that it was him again who was in the forefront reminding faculty heads to block Mabaila from registering as he is serving a suspension. “I even sent an email to the Deans and Faculty Administrators instructing that Mabaila should not even register for the academic year on July 18, 2024, a period when registration normally takes place,” he said. Amidst all of these allegations about him not dealing swiftly with the Mabaila case, Norris stated that it was even a shocker to him at first to learn that the latter was a student at the university. “I didn’t even know that Mabaila was a student here because this institution is big. Additionally, I am not even surf social media so I really would not know,” Norris lamented. In a case involving the credibility of Tsgowane’s and Sonny Serite Masters’ degrees, the VC said the university would never give anyone a qualification without meeting the requirements of being conferred one. “The thing that former VP did not accumulate enough credits is all a lie, he passed those modules. I don’t influence anything; am I that powerful? Everything is approved by the Senate not me,” shared Norris
He highlighted that the same thing extends to Serite’s academic status as he met all the university requirements as per the senate. Regarding a case involving a PhD student alleged to have been favoured and conferred with the doctorate, Norris stated that it is all bogus as the student did not even graduate. "A woman wrote to me complaining that the department is refusing her dissertation as it has not met 100, 000 words required despite external examiners viewing it worthy. Then I wrote to the DVC to enquire about the clause and it turned out to be true,” Norris said. He added: “The woman never got to graduate as I wrote to her on October 14, 2024 telling her that the regulations stand and she cannot graduate without meeting the 100 000 words requirement,” Norris said. Speculation has been rife that Norris’ position as the VC is under threat more especially under the Second Republic. Despite speculations spreading, Norris hinted that he does not fear for his job at all. “I don’t have fear for my job at all because I can say that I have done the best under all the circumstances. And if I am not found fit I will go and I will be very willing to assist the person whoever comes in,” he articulated.
In addition, the VC indicated that the change of government does not pose any threat to his job as it is all about merit, which is what the new President Duma Boko is pushing. "University works for a nation not a party and we will continue to serve. Our university is well aligned with UDC’s manifesto. Last week people said that I was fired and Never Tshabang will replace me but that’s all lies,” Norris remarked. Despite all the allegations, Norris feels that he will be able to return the UB back to its glorious days. “The good that will come out is what will build the reputation of this school as a university with good reputation,” he stated.
He revealed that it is lecturers that are against this transformation as he realised that the university is falling behind in education. “We are lacking on teaching, the number of PhD holders is low and the number of post graduate students is low. And there is a group of lecturers that is against this,” he complained. On Mabaila’s case, Norris shared that the university dealt with the matter in the best way that they could and followed the right channels. He added that he was not even part of the panel that presided over his case. “On February 28, 2024, I wrote to Mabaila telling him the decision that was taken by the disciplinary committee of which I was not even part of. Mabaila even received the letter and signed it on March 8, 2024,” Norris said. Furthermore, Norris shared that it was him again who was in the forefront reminding faculty heads to block Mabaila from registering as he is serving a suspension. “I even sent an email to the Deans and Faculty Administrators instructing that Mabaila should not even register for the academic year on July 18, 2024, a period when registration normally takes place,” he said. Amidst all of these allegations about him not dealing swiftly with the Mabaila case, Norris stated that it was even a shocker to him at first to learn that the latter was a student at the university. “I didn’t even know that Mabaila was a student here because this institution is big. Additionally, I am not even surf social media so I really would not know,” Norris lamented. In a case involving the credibility of Tsgowane’s and Sonny Serite Masters’ degrees, the VC said the university would never give anyone a qualification without meeting the requirements of being conferred one. “The thing that former VP did not accumulate enough credits is all a lie, he passed those modules. I don’t influence anything; am I that powerful? Everything is approved by the Senate not me,” shared Norris
He highlighted that the same thing extends to Serite’s academic status as he met all the university requirements as per the senate. Regarding a case involving a PhD student alleged to have been favoured and conferred with the doctorate, Norris stated that it is all bogus as the student did not even graduate. "A woman wrote to me complaining that the department is refusing her dissertation as it has not met 100, 000 words required despite external examiners viewing it worthy. Then I wrote to the DVC to enquire about the clause and it turned out to be true,” Norris said. He added: “The woman never got to graduate as I wrote to her on October 14, 2024 telling her that the regulations stand and she cannot graduate without meeting the 100 000 words requirement,” Norris said. Speculation has been rife that Norris’ position as the VC is under threat more especially under the Second Republic. Despite speculations spreading, Norris hinted that he does not fear for his job at all. “I don’t have fear for my job at all because I can say that I have done the best under all the circumstances. And if I am not found fit I will go and I will be very willing to assist the person whoever comes in,” he articulated.
In addition, the VC indicated that the change of government does not pose any threat to his job as it is all about merit, which is what the new President Duma Boko is pushing. "University works for a nation not a party and we will continue to serve. Our university is well aligned with UDC’s manifesto. Last week people said that I was fired and Never Tshabang will replace me but that’s all lies,” Norris remarked. Despite all the allegations, Norris feels that he will be able to return the UB back to its glorious days. “The good that will come out is what will build the reputation of this school as a university with good reputation,” he stated.