Governing Council

The IACST Governing Council shall comprise of nine (9) members appointed by UTAMU Board of Directors. The following shall constitute the IACST Governing Council:

• A Representative of Southern Africa appointed by UTAMU Board of Directors;
• A Representative of Eastern Africa appointed by UTAMU Board of Directors;
• A Representative of Central Africa appointed by UTAMU Board of Directors;
• A Representative of Western Africa appointed by UTAMU Board of Directors;
• A Representative of Northern Africa appointed by UTAMU Board of Directors;
• Three Experts from different areas of African culture, science and technology appointed from the public by UTAMU Board of Directors; and
• The Executive Director of the Institute of African Culture, Science and Technology.
• A staff in the IACST shall be designated by the Executive Director to serve as the Secretary to the Governing Council and its committees.

The IACST Governing Council shall:

• Responsible for shaping, reviewing IACST mission, vision and strategic direction, and continuously monitor progress against set goals;
• Be responsible for the direction of academic, research, innovations, business development, administrative and financial affairs of the Institute;
• Advise and direct the IACST on matters of resource mobilization, business development, partnerships and collaborations;
• Give general guidelines to the IACST Management on matters relating to the operations of the Institute;
• Prepare IACST Statutes and recommend them to UTAMU Council for consideration;
• Formulate the general policies of the IACST and recommend them to UTAMU Council for consideration;
• Except where provided otherwise under UTAMU Statutes, be responsible to the UTAMU Council for the appointment, promotion, removal from service and discipline of all officers and staff of the academic, research, administrative and support service of the Institute, as may be determined by the UTAMU Board of Directors, and for avoidance of doubt, the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director shall be appointed by the UTAMU Board of Directors;
• Submit the IACST budget proposals and the annual accounts to the UTAMU Council;
• Ensure the integrity of the IACST's accounting and financial reporting systems;
• Ensure that accurate records are kept on the IACST operations;
• Submit the Annual Report and quarterly IACST Governing reports to the UTAMU Council;
• Receive business from the Academic Board of the IACST for recommendation to the UTAMU Senate; and
• Undertake any other functions and exercise any other powers as delegated in writing by IACST Governing Council or as provided for by the UTAMU Statutes.

All the other members shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and are eligible for re-appointment with the exception of Executive Director who shall be a member by virtue of serving as the Executive Director of the IACST.

The office of a member of IACST Governing Council shall become vacant (a) upon death; (b) Upon ceasing to be a representative of the particular office or body or constituency by virtue of which that person became a member of the Governing Council; (c) Upon resignation of a member; (d) Upon being adjudged Bankrupt or of unsound mind; (e) Upon being convicted of a crime; or (f) Failure to attend three consecutive IACST Governing Council meetings without apology.

• The Chairperson of the IACST Governing Council shall chair Governing Council Meetings and in his absence the Vice Chairperson shall chair and in the absence of both the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson the members present shall elect a chairperson from among themselves.
• The Vice Chairperson of the IACST Governing Council shall deputise the Chairperson of the Governing Council and in the absence of the Chairperson performs the duties of the Chairperson of the Governing Council.
• When it is not practical or feasible to call a special or emergency meeting of the Governing Council, the Chairperson may perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Governing Council with exception of approval of the IACST annual report, budget proposals and the annual accounts. The decisions and actions by the Chairperson of the IACST Governing Council shall be subject to ratification by the Council at its next meeting.
• The office of  the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of Council shall become vacant (a) upon death; (b) Upon ceasing to be a representative of the particular office or body or constituency by virtue of which that person became a member of the IACST Governing Council; (c) Upon resignation of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the IACST Council; (d) Upon being adjudged Bankrupt or of unsound mind; (e) Upon being convicted of a crime.

• Due to the membership of the IACST Governing Council being from far and wide, the meetings of the Governing Council will mainly be virtual meetings.
• Whenever a physical meeting is called, the IACST Governing Council shall meet at times and at places that it may determine for the transaction of its business.
• The IACST Governing Council shall meet not less than four (4) times in each calendar year.
• The Chairperson may at any time call a meeting of the Governing Council and shall call a meeting if requested in writing by at least forty percent of all the members of the Governing Council.
• Forty percent (40%) of the members of the Governing Council shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Council.
• Any matter for decision by the IACST Governing Council shall be determined by a majority of the members of the Council present by voting; and in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote but at any meeting where an annual report is being approved the decision shall be determined by a majority of two thirds of the members present.
• The validity of the proceedings, act or decision of the Governing Council shall not be affected by any vacancy in the membership of the Governing Council or by any defect in the appointment of any member or by reason that any person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.
• Members of the Governing Council will be paid such allowances and retainer fees as the UTAMU Board of Directors may determine, taking into account allowances and retainer fees of other similar Councils.
• The IACST Governing Council may regulate its own procedure, and the procedure of any of its committees.

• Due to the membership of the IACST Governing Council Committees being from far and wide, the meetings of the Governing Council committees will mainly be virtual meetings.
• Whenever a physical meeting is called, the committee shall meet at times and at places that it may determine for the transaction of its business but at least once in each calendar year.
  • The Chairperson of IACST Governing Council may at any time call a meeting of the committee and shall call a meeting if requested in writing by at least one forty percent of all the members of the committee.
  • Forty percent (40%) of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the committee.
  • Any matter for decision by the committee shall be determined by a majority of the members of the committee present and voting; and in the case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote.
  • The validity of the proceedings, act or decision of the committee shall not be affected by any vacancy in the membership of the committee or by any defect in the appointment of any member or by reason that any person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.

1. Committee on African Culture and Traditions, Governance and Justice Systems
2. Committee on African Performing Arts and Entertainment
3. Committee on African indigenous knowledge, Science, Technologies and Digital Transformation
4. Committee on African Agriculture, Medicine and Spirituality
5. Committee on African Business and Economics
6. Committee on African Education Systems, Sports, History and Languages

An IACST Governing Council Committee shall comprise of 5 members only.