SEARCH FOR A PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (AUST)
The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Nigeria, is conducting an international search for a President. AUST’s Board of Directors hereby invites letters of nomination, applications, or expressions of interest to be submitted for consideration by the Board. Review of materials received will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations, applications, or expressions of interest be submitted on or before September 30, 2015.
AUST offers its next president an opportunity to contribute to Africa's development prospects that is distinctive and unique in the African continent. In the few short years of its existence, AUST has established a growing reputation of an African center of academic excellence. Its student body is selected rigorously and has come from 17 African countries. Its faculty is committed and talented and includes Africans professionals in the diaspora as well as others from other continents drawn from the best universities in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. It has received and continues to receive support from such well-known multilateral institutions as the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the African Capacity Building Foundation. It is located in the capital of the largest economy in Africa, with great opportunity for interactions and partnership with the local community and industry.
Appropriately experienced and qualified applicants should please forward materials – a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for five professional references – electronically, and in confidence to:president.search@aust.edu.ng
For more information, please consult the following: http://www.aust.edu.ng/presidentsearch/
Statement of Leadership
The president is the Chief Executive Officer of the university, a member of the faculty and carries out the policies and programs established by the Board of Directors. The president provides the overall intellectual and organizational leadership to the University.At this particular phase of AUST’s development, its next president will thus have a unique opportunity to lead a mission-driven institution in order to consolidate its achievements to date and move to the next level of its development. AUST is looking for an energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards to focus his attention in the five primary areas: (a) nurture, deepen and expand AUST’s academic standards and quality, including the strengthening of the already strict admissions standards that have been in effect, retain and recruit exceptional faculty and consolidate efforts underway to build and advance a strong research culture; (b) be an effective planner and administrator; (c) have experience and ability to build internal and external partnerships at different levels: the establishment ofpartnerships, networks/linkages with other universities in and outside Africa, and industry to diffuse knowledge and innovation across Africa; (d) ensure AUST is in compliance with all accrediting and regulatory bodies; and (e) enable the development of a bottom-up entrepreneurial approach to education, research and innovation by inspiring students to innovate in science using their African context and heritage.The president is responsible for managing the operations and administration of the University and its compliance with applicable Board Laws and Policies, the host country’s constitution (i.e. Federal Republic of Nigeria) as well as appropriate academic’s laws and regulations.
Furthermore, the president serves as the chief academic officer of the university, responsible for providing academic leadership in teaching and research for the university and in maintaining and advancing the academic policies of the university as approved by the Board of Directors.The President and his/her office report to the Board of Directors and ensure that key directives and policies are carried out and inquiries are answered.
Responsibilities of the Position
1.Providing overall vision and direction
The president works with a wide range of internal and external constituencies in providing leadership for the university; protects and furthers the excellence of the campus, and promotes the university’s image and reputation as a premier pan-African research and education institution nationally, regionally and internationally.The president fosters and builds upon the strengths of the university and provides leadership to guide its future course; He/she leads the university community in establishing a clear, unified vision for the university; supports and encourages diversity throughout the university community.
2.Managing the University’s operations
The president is responsible for the administration, fiscal management and compliance with applicable policies, laws, rules, regulations, and contracts, grants, and donor restrictions; consistent with and subject to the policies defined by the Board of Directors, he/she recruits, builds, and retains a professional executive team to achieve prudent and effective management of the university’s resources and in collaboration with the executive team, establishes a control environment focused on achieving the university’s vision while promoting strong business acumen, integrity, and accountability.
3.External outreach and fundraising
The President represents the University in external outreach to promote partnerships with various stakeholders including educational institutions, governments, development agencies, private sector entities, and foundations. His/her primary responsibilities are to increase institutional resources and support, including donations, from public and private institutions, and forge closer ties with education institutions to promote academic excellence.
4.Managing academic affairs
The President works with his/her faculty in developing academic priorities and programs; works with the faculty to enhance the quality, and delivery of teaching, scholarship, and service; manages the overall teaching and research programs.
5.Reporting to the Board
The president of the University is accountable for carrying out the policies and programs established by the Board of Directors and for bringing recommendations to the attention of the board to keep it fully informed in meeting its policy-making responsibilities; he/she needs to engage the board in the formulation and implementation of strategic and budget plans to advance the university’s mission and goals, and respond timely to all queries made by members of the Board.
Qualification and Experience:
A successful candidate for the presidency of AUST must have impeccable ethics, an extensive record of academic leadership accomplishments with at least fifteen years experience as a full professor. He/She must also have a proven management track record of at least five years at a senior level in academe (as dean, provost or head of department with major responsibilities). The selected candidate must demonstrate the capacity to lead a start up organization such as the AUST. He/She must have a terminal academic degree, as well as a record of excellence in teaching, research, including many peer-reviewed publications in acknowledged academic journals and service activities at a university. A successful candidate must have an appreciation for instructional and information technologies, an understanding of national and international trends, issues, and demographics affecting the university. He/She must also have experience dealing with education regulatory authorities and working in a multicultural environment. The successful candidate must have the ability to balance academic and administrative issues and to inspire students to innovate in science using their African context and heritage.
