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Reflective PVC Summit intensifies Unisa as a site of excellence

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Prof Puleng LenkaBula

On 3 September 2025, Unisa held the Principal and Vice-Chancellor’s Summit aimed at reinforcing the university’s collective commitment to addressing critical academic, research and engaged scholarship priorities. Attended by Unisa’s management staff, student leadership, labour unions and the Management Committee (MANCOM), the summit examined internal and external forces that shape the university’s future. It further provided the opportunity to reflect and learn from the past, respond to present realities, and make informed decisions that will accelerate and sustain the execution of Unisa’s 2030 Strategy.

In her opening address and setting the scene, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), reaffirmed the need to reflect on how the university had implemented the catalytic niche areas that were approved in 2021 by the Unisa Council through relevant consultations.

"We must engage on how transformative and impactful our research is for the society at large," she said. "Further, we ought to engage on how we can position Unisa competitively in the global higher education environment through strategic internationalisation, digital transformation and institutional identity building."

LenkaBula stated: "The summit presents the opportunity to examine which evolving systems require academic support and a strong base of quality higher education output that would be prestigious for us in a global setting." The VC further affirmed that the university operates in an environment that requires cutting-edge solutions in order to remain relevant, competitive and sustainable.

Commending the staff for collective leadership, LenkaBula acknowledged that Unisa’s research agenda and outputs are increasingly improving, further encouraging their sustainability to continuously impact the scientific community and various strides of human life. She remarked: "We must explore how we create safety, peace, and necessary policy reforms and revolutions that education can propel - and that can enable Unisa to live up to its mission."

The VC also expressed appreciation to Unisa leadership, MANCOM and the staff at large, for creating an enabling environment and for ensuring that the university is a site of excellence through collective efforts and resilience. "Our ambition must be supported by fit-for-purpose infrastructure and students’ access to quality learning, regardless of their locations. Also, academics must have access to modern facilities and digital platforms to collaborate globally and to conduct cutting-edge research," said LenkaBula.

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Programme directors from left: Prof Ashley Gunter (Deputy Executive Dean: College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences) and Prof Meahabo Magano (Executive Director: Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning)

Following the VC’s address, a multimedia video presentation was shown, reflecting on the VC’s Lekgotla event that took place in April 2025, and highlighting Unisa’s commitment to maintaining an impactful legacy. Also, the presentations by Unisa’s heads of colleges and portfolios reflected on past experiences, gaps that must be addressed and achievements in their respective spaces. Their presentations focused on the following critical areas:

  • Teaching and learning effectiveness
  • Research and innovation impact
  • Institutional identity and global positioning
  • Talent, promotions and academic human resources
  • Infrastructure and the future of work

In closing, LenkaBula noted that considering the challenge of financing higher education, Unisa needs to rethink how it can strengthen its systems and outreach. Reiterating on the importance of engaged scholarships, the VC asserted that through partnerships, among others, Unisa must proudly uphold African scholarship, as well as showcase the dignity and value of African institutions to achieve a harmonious and resourceful optimisation of knowledge.

"I appreciate your passion around what we should do to support our students in their diversities," LenkaBula concluded. "We must collaboration and support one another for the betterment of our university."

* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

** Photography by Shooheima Champion, Unisa Multimedia Centre

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Publish date: 2025-09-04 00:00:00.0

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