His Majesty King Letsie III says smooth governance of the National University of Lesotho (NUL) lies in the quality of its leadership.

He said this at the official opening of the 10th University Council's Annual General meeting at Lehakoe Club in Maseru on Tuesday.

His Majesty said he has learned with satisfaction that the university held a workshop in December last year to enhance and empower the students' and their leadership in running their affairs effectively.

He added that though the impact of the training may not be visible immediately, he hopes that it will go a long way towards shaping the attributes, behaviour and values of students as well as sharpening the attributes of their leadership for the development and advancement of the university.

He further said since the inception of the university in 1945, it is renowned both regionally and internationally for production of high calibre manpower saying in order to maintain this coveted reputation, NUL has to be responsive to the ever changing needs and demands of the nation and the world at large.

His Majesty the King urged the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adelani Ogunrinade and the university management to aggressively introduce a sustainable income generating investment initiatives with the aim of bridging the financial gap brought about by declining government subvention.

He also applauded the university for having resuscitated the investment committee whose main task is to identify and recommend viable investment proposals for funding of developmental programmes of the university.

Speaking at the same occasion, NUL Council Chairperson, Mr. Ramosehlana Mapetla said the council has managed to bring some measure of stability when it began executing duties and responsibility in 2005.

'The stability has been enjoyed over the past 12 months and has added to a conducive climate for scholarship and academic pursuit,’ he said.

Mr. Mapetla added that the council is gratified by the direction mapped out in the university's five year strategic plan from 2007 to 2012 saying when implemented it will contribute to the growth and stability of the university.

He however mentioned that there are still some challenges facing the university that include strengthening of NUL management, particularly the financial administration and control area.

He further said efforts must be doubled to ensure that the university adequately responds to the national challenges of poverty and reduction of HIV/AIDS, saying it is hoped that the 11th Council will nurture and build on these efforts for the development of NUL.

Source: LENA 01/04/2008