Academics’ Perspectives on the Nature and Tradition of Appointments of University Leaders at a Cameroonian University

Abstract

. The appointment of leaders at Cameroonian universities is a tradition that has dominated the operations and autonomy of the institutions since the establishment of state universities under the 1993 reforms. This gave authority to the government to decide the pedagogical and academic activities of these universities and to appoint and dismiss their leaders without accountability. Based on a larger study, this qualitative single-case study employed semi-structured interviews and reflective practices in the form of reflective journals. The perspectives of 11 purposively selected academics were explored regarding their perspective on the appointment process of leaders at a Cameroonian university and its implication on their professional identities. Distributed leadership theory and the force field model for teacher development were the theoretical frameworks used for data generation and analysis. Data were thematically analyzed, with analysis indicating that the two-step commission process at the university and Ministry of Higher Education, designed to appoint qualified individuals, is often bypassed. Some individuals secure leadership positions through political, economic, and tribal connections. Individuals appointed based on affinities often lack the necessary skills and competence, sometimes displaying limited knowledge of the system’s functioning. Conversely, qualified candidates without such affiliations are often overlooked, primarily due to their apolitical stance, resulting in their files frequently being left unassessed for appointments. It is recommended that policymakers, university leaders, and other stakeholders collaborate to establish transparent, merit-based appointment processes, while maintaining the autonomy of the institutions.