Unitech back on course

THE chancellor of the University of Technology Philip Stagg has commended all parties involved in resolving the crisis.
Mr Stagg announced that the dispute with the National Academic Staff Association (NASA) had been resolved.
He said that on March 18, a tripartite MoA was executed between the university council, NASA and the Students Representative Council paving for, among other things:
*Classes to resume on Monday, March 19, 2007;
*All allegations against the university administration be referred to an independent three-man investigation team to probe and report;
*The Ombudsman Commission would also carry out its own investigation as it is required to do under the national Constitution;
*The contempt notices served against NASA executives be dealt with by the courts as it saw fit, although the council has already indicated a willingness not to push ahead with jail, if the courts could so allow; and,
*NASA members agree not to go on strike for the remainder of the 2007 academic year on any issue that is the subject of the independent investigations.
Mr Stagg said NASA’s approach to the negotiations did not assist their cause, and initially impeded discussions to such as extent that the Ombudsman Commission and finally their lawyers, had to be called in directly to break the deadlock.