Varsity president suspended over letter to ministry

Dar es Salaam. The president of the St Joseph University College of Engineering and Technology, Dar es Salaam Campus, Mr Haruna Bachubila, has been suspended for one year.

This is after he submitted a follow-up letter to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, on the implementations of directives by the Minister, Prof Joyce Ndalichako, in April last year.

There had been misunderstandings that started last year between the St Joseph University administration and students, who boycotted classes to exert pressure on the college management to clarify their fate after the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) deregistered its Arusha and Songea campuses.

To intervene in the matter, Prof Ndalichako visited the college where, among others, she directed for major improvements in teaching facilities, which was the major concern by the student organization.

In a letter dated March 27, 2017 Bachubila inquired the minister to give a feed-back on what had been done about their concerns. But when the ministry responded, the letter was received through the college’s mail. That was how the college administration learnt of Bachubila’s letter.

According to his letter of suspension signed by the Acting Principal, Dr Naveen Prabakaran, the university president, Bachubila, is accused of breaching clause10.3 and 4.13 of the students by law contained in the student’s hand book. Bachubila is a third-year student who was pursuing a four-year Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Engineering.

His suspension is meant to be a warning to other students trying to expose college affairs to the public, The Citizen has learnt.  

 “You are guilty of having committed disciplinary offence to the students By-Law Part-II-4.13, 10.3 and part 1-3.1 contained in the student’s hand book, the college has enough right to expel you permanently,”

“However, to refrain yourself from the untrusted behavior, the college gives you a chance by rusticating you from the college for one academic year 2016/17 under the section of penalties clause 20.8,” read part of the letter which was also seen by this paper.

According to the letter dated May 17, 2017, in order for him to be re-registered for the next academic year, he must submit a letter to claim that he withdraws the letter he wrote to the ministry.

The withdrawal letter should be addressed to various governing bodies including the TCU, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and to the university itself.

Speaking to The Citizen, Mr Bachubila said the letter which got him suspended was sent to the ministry as he sought a clarification on various challenges they were facing regarding the directives by the minister.

“I am suspended for taking the matter to government authorities without the consent of the college administration. They claim that I have tarnished the image of the college,” he said.

When reached for comment, the Acting Principal Dr Prabakaran couldn’t confirm or refute the matter.

“I’m busy… I will check you later on or come physically to the college,” he said shortly in a phone interview.