Dean of students and NSRC President visit Unisa regional centres to assess registrations

The Dean of Students in the Office of the Deputy Registrar: Student Administration and System Integration, Dr Olwethu Sipuka, together with the National Student Representative Council (NSRC) President, Nkosinathi Mabilane, recently embarked on regional visits to assess the progress of the registration process. This was necessitated by the influx of inquiries from students who needed updates on their application and registration statuses.

From left to right: Zukile Mgolombane, Lesedi Nkoana, Nkosinathi Mabelane, Justice Motseyo, David Matlakala, Maleasenya, Raisibe, Eldridge Maphana, Eben Phala, Mmatshidi Maleka and Reneilwe Makhura

The visits were also used to assess how student queries were responded to at a regional level. The opportunity also afforded the dean and NSRC president to observe how regional Student Representative Councils (SRCs) assist students during registrations while enabling students to interact with their representatives and raise issues directly with regional management and the dean of students.

Unisa Polokwane

The registration process at the Polokwane campus progressed well, and there were several improvements compared to previous periods. Pindiwe Seloma, Manager of Student Administration Support: Tuition and Facilitation of Learning, outlined the activities during the registration process. She appreciated the regional SRC, who were on the ground assisting with registrations and various student queries. The delegation proceeded to the Polokwane Library, where they further assessed students' needs.

From left to right seated: Nkosinathi Mabelane, Dr Olwethu Sipuka and Ntokozo Magubane From left to right standing: Dr Philisiwe Myeza, Zinzi Bakhethile Zondi, Sinenhlanhla Myeza, Busisiwe Decosta, Sonto Mthwane and Sibusiso Mhlongo

Unisa Durban Office

Dr Philisiwe Myeza, the KzaZulu-Natal (KZN) Regional Director, explained that the region had made strides in dealing with backlogs at the self-help registration halls. The regional SRC expressed concern over students initially funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but now defunded. The RSRC explained that they were in negotiation for funding assistance with the eThekwini Municiplaity to help the affected students. A list of deserving students was compiled to enable the university to follow due processes once an agreement is reached. Additionally, the RSRC explained that they were negotiating a bus route close to the campus for easy access.

Front row from left to right: Cinga Dlanjwa, Lumka Gabavana, Tsholofelo Kgaswane and Zukile Mgolombane Back row from left to right: Maki Cenge, Motale Nkgoang, Aseza Nteleza, Dr Olwethu Sipuka, Dr Themba Mzangwa and Anathi Mgquba

Unisa East London office

Motale Nkgoang, the Eastern Cape Acting Regional Director, the Eastern Cape RSRC, and staff met with Sipuka. Nkgoang outlined the registration process in the region and expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between staff and the SRC in dealing with student issues. The availability of the RSRC during registration played an essential part in ensuring that students' needs were addressed. Registration in the Eastern Cape region progressed well. Several interventions were implemented to address students' needs learned from previous experiences.

More regional visits to follow

The first round of the regional visits went well and enabled the dean of students to record areas that need improvement and student grievances. The dean will continue visiting other regions. Mabilane expressed appreciation for RSRCs' role during registrations and requested that university management assist in ensuring students' needs are addressed.

 *Submitted by  the office of the Dean of Students