 From left: Dr Joseph Diescho, Head and Director: International Relations & Partnerships; Prof Barney Pityana, Principal & Vice-Chancellor; Mrs Sibanda, a licensee; Prof Louis Molamo, Registrar; & Prof Narend Baijnath, Vice-Principal: Strategy, Planning & Partnerships
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In business to be in education
A dinner was hosted for Unisa licensees at the Protea restaurant on 16 November 2009, which was attended by Prof Barney Pityana, Prof Narend Baijnath and Prof Louis Molamu.
In his address, Prof Narend Baijnath said that Unisa has awarded licences across the continent, but stressed that licensees should never view these licences as a means to make a profit. Prof Louis Molamu, in turn, cautioned the licensees to make sure that they understand how the university works. "You must continue to familiarise yourself with the workings, operations and the policies of the university.”
The licensees were represented by Mrs Sibanda who expressed her gratitude for the professional support they always receive from Unisa. "Unisa was very strategic when they realised that in order to access many students on the continent, they must deal with the people who speak the language of the people." She assured the management team that they would protect the Unisa name and brand. Responding to the question of profits, she answered: "We are not in education to be in business, but in business to be in education."
Prof Barney Pityana, Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said that the licensees assist the university in advancing its agenda for the African continent. "We have managed to assist those who thought they would not succeed in life." He said that the university is judged by the difference it makes in society. "We are a university that believes in lifelong learning," he said. "The licensees must shape the students to be inquisitive, active in their learning, to have enquiring minds and to have interest in exploring technology."
Dr Joseph Diescho, Head and Director: International Relations and Partnerships, urged the licensees to tune into the "eloquence and poetry with which Unisa does it day-to-day business."
Mr Riekert Liebenberg, Manager: Licensee and International Student Admissions and Registrations, said that Unisa annually invites all licensees to attend a week-long training session to keep up to date with developments at Unisa. |
