WSU’s Convocation Executive recently converged in Johannesburg for its Annual General Meeting - an occasion that was preceded by a heated debate around the implementation of faculty Rationalisation and Consolidation (R&C) by the University.
R&C will assist with accreditation issues at WSU as the consolidation of programmes will allow WSU to meet equipment quotas and staffing requirements and should ultimately result in cost efficient operations.
“On some campuses only offer National Diplomas. We are bringing all of those together so those teaching diplomas can have the same articulation as postgraduate degree lecturers. This is what R&C is trying to achieve by bringing lecturers from the different campuses and programme levels together to discuss articulation of courses” said WSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prince Jaca.
In addition to the sentiments expressed by Jaca, institutional Registrar at WSU, Dr Lulamile Ntonzima said academic leadership would be the key to a streamlined academic enterprise at WSU.
“One of the critical ingredients to having a strong research expectation is building strong academic leadership that does not speak to academic portfolios. This is leadership in the sense of being a strong specialist where one does teaching and learning, as well as research. This also means leading in terms of knowledge production and retesting of ideas,” he said.
The highly contested Annual General Meeting to launch the Gauteng Convocation Chapter saw seven highly qualified alumni of the university being elected to one of the institution’s most influential stakeholder body.
The Gauteng Convocation Chapter election outcomes were as follows:
- Chairperson: Mluleki Mafuna
- Secretary: Khulekani Mashiloana
- Treasurer General: Dr Raphael Biyata
Additional Members:
- Lindokuhle Mdubuli
- Dr Mandilakhe Khethelo
- Sesona Mqombothi
- Mana Mthwa
“I would like us to work on establishing networks around Gauteng and call on everyone in here to assist. I believe in access as well – which means access to resources to assist those migrating from the Eastern Cape to find work in Gauteng. Fundraising is also one of the primary things this chapter needs to work towards as Gauteng is at the centre of the economy,” said the newly elected Gauteng Chapter chairperson, Mr Mluleki Mafuna.