media releases - Luanch of the new COMPREHENSIVE UNISA

As a comprehensive University, Unisa, with a student body in the region of 250 000, offers a diverse choice of study fields at levels from certificate to degree, ranging from animal health, agriculture, law, business, education, humanities, to name but a few. Unisa is now also represented in all provinces of South Africa with strong outreach to SADC countries as well as other African countries.

Merging a technikon and a university is a complex and challenging process, but an ultimately extremely rewarding one – with enormous expertise available from both merging institutions which will benefit the new Unisa in increasing human resource and technological capacity to the advantage of the country and providing learning opportunities for all our students.

A large number of task teams have been working together since last year to ensure the smooth and efficient blending of the institutions. The merger is a process and not one that will be final within a few weeks. Systems need to be integrated as do procedures, policies and workflow systems.

The former Unisa and Technikon SA have been collaborating for several years now, particularly at a regional level, where they have been sharing facilities, so this process had already got a head start, as it were.

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Currently students of the former Technikon SA and Unisa are registering at their former points of contact. Tuition fees as decided on by the two separate institutions last year are being adhered to. By 2005 the fees and registration points will be integrated.

When the combined expertise of academic and administrative staff and its business plan are finalised, the comprehensive u niversity will be a global player in providing quality education and learning opportunities

Dr Matthews Phosa, chairperson of the Interim Council said: "On 1 and 2 January 2004, the talents and expertise of leading academics from three institutions were welded together to create a significant force in South African higher education. The launch of the new Unisa today is a celebration of what has been achieved since South African became a democracy in April 1004. We are now on the threshold of a new future, where our people will have access to comprehensive higher education through open distance learning which is provided by an institution geared to deliver excellent and relevant career-focused and academic programmes, diplomas and degrees – truly and event to celebrate."

Prof N Barney Pityana, Principal and Vice Chancellor said: "With freedom comes responsibility. As a leader in higher education, we as an institution have the responsibility and public mandate to ensure that people across South Africa have the knowledge and skills to become part of the socio-economic future of this country. At the launch of the new Unisa today, I would urge you all to pause and think back of what was and, with the new Unisa providing comprehensive distance education to large numbers of people whom it serves even throughout the continent and worldwide, what the future could be."

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Prof Neo Mathabe, Pro Vice Chancellor said: "For ten years educationists throughout South Africa have worked steadily towards a new educational dispensation. The vision has been education that is accessible to all; education that will meet the needs of the country; education that will restore dignity and will develop and uplift people; and education that will create opportunities for those who were previously deprived of their rights in the country of their birth. I am proud to be part of leading this vision and look forward to the creation of a bright future in higher, distance and comprehensive education."

One of the first changes to be implemented is the forming of colleges from the former faculties. The colleges are: the College of Economic and Management Sciences; the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education; the College of Science, Engineering and Technology; the College of Law and Justice; and the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

Both institutions have strict quality assurance controls over not just the products offered, but also the quality of teaching.

An interim brand has been developed and the permanent branding of the new Unisa should be in place by the middle of the year. The interim Council will make way for a final Council also by mid-year, after which the permanent management will also be put in place.

Future plans at Unisa will include further development of on-line learning, greater Africa outreach, promotion of Africa-centred research and intensified student support.

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The interim management of the new Unisa are: Prof N Barney Pityana: Principal and Vice-Chancellor; Prof Neo Mathabe Pro Vice- Chancellor; Prof Chris Swanepoel, Vice Principal : Academic; Prof H Louw, Vice Principal : Learner Support; Prof N Baijnath, Vice Principal : Research; Prof C J de J Cronje, Vice Principal : Finance; Prof D L Mosoma, Vice Principal, Operations; Prof R C Bodibe, Vice Principal : Student and Alumni Affairs; Prof T H Links, Registrar: Governance; Prof L Molamu, Registrar : Academic.

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Issued by: Doreen Gough, Manager: Media Affairs, Corporate Communication and Marketing, Unisa. Tel (012) 429-2611 or 082 4977 938. e-mail:

goughdd@unisa.ac.za

For further information:

Doreen Gough at (012) 429-2611 or 082 4977 938 or e-mail: goughdd@unisa.ac.za

Gerard Grobler at (011) 471-2521 or 082 650 8408 or e-mail: ggrobler@tsa.ac.za

Date of issue: 28 January 2004.

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