media releases - Information note to Unisa community

Dr NM Phosa (Chairperson)
Dr IL Rensburg
Mr ER Maponya
Ms J A Glennie
Ms CV McClain-Nhlapo
Mr Alfred da Costa
Ms P Coopoo
Mr L Mali
Adv V Kahla

was appointed by the Minister of Education, Prof Kader Asmal, MP by Notice in the Government Gazette published on 14 November 2003 (Notice No 1691).

2. Upon being duly constituted, the Interim Council confirmed the appointment of the Interim Management as previously announced on 10 December 2003. The Interim Management is as follows:

Prof NB Pityana Principal and Vice Chancellor
Prof NR Mathabe Pro-Vice Chancellor
Prof DL Mosoma Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal:Operations
Prof CF Swanepoel Vice Principal: Academic
Prof AH Louw Vice Principal: Learner Support
Prof N Baijnath Vice Principal: Research and Planning
Prof CS Bodibe Vice Principal: Student and Alumni Affairs
Prof GJ deJ Cronje Vice Principal: Finance

Please note the Prof DL Mosoma was also appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor. The following Registrars were also appointed:

Prof TH Links Registrar: Governance and Secretary of Council
Prof L Molamu Registrar: Academic

3. The Interim Council also approved the structure of the Office of the Vice Chancellor together with the reporting lines between the Vice Chancellor and the Pro-Vice Chancellor. In particular, the following offices will report directly to the Vice Chancellor:

Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal: Operations
Vice Principal: Finance
Registrar: Governance and Secretary of Council
Corporate Communications and Marketing
Office of the University Legal Advisor
Office of the Internal Auditor
Unisa Foundation
International Relations Office (to be formed)

4. The following will report to the Pro-Vice Chancellor:

Vice Principal: Academic
Vice Principal: Learner Support
Vice Principal: Research & Planning
Vice Principal: Student and Alumni Affairs
Registrar: Academic
Merger Office

5. The Interim Council further approved the structure of the academic units within the new Unisa. The principle of conducting the academic activities of the University in Colleges was endorsed. The intention is further to devolve as many administrative activities as possible in the new Unisa to the Colleges. The head of the college will be an Executive Dean who will form part of the Management structure of the university. The following colleges are to be instituted:

College of Economic and Management Sciences
College of Humanities, Social Science and Education
College of Science, Engineering, and Technology
College of Law and Justice
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

It was noted that the names of the proposed colleges may be referred to the academic structures for consultation before finalization, provided that it is understood that the academic activities in each college have, for now, been finalized.

6. The Interim Council further resolved that the process for the appointment of Executive Deans must get underway immediately. The names of Executive Directors and Executive Deans as nominated by Management will be presented to the HR Committee of the IC and to the IC at its February meeting.

7. The Registrar: Governance was urged to speed up the process of the establishment of the governance structures of the university. This includes the constitution of the Senate, the Institutional Forum, the SRC and Convocation. Once these are in place, the constitution of the Council of Unisa will be undertaken.

8. Finally, the Interim Council urged Management to present a strategic plan for the new institution for adoption at its February meeting.

PROF N B PITYANA
PRINCIPAL AND VICE-CHANCELLOR
Pretoria, 6 January 2004.