Word of welcome to the new campus rectors
First of all, I would like to welcome Prof Thanyani Mariba, the new Rector of the Vaal Triangle Campus and Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, the new Rector of the Potchefstroom Campus. Prof Mariba was inaugurated on 5 February with Prof Van Schalkwyk's inauguration to follow on 23 March.
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Our targets - first-time enrolments
Coupled with the late announcement of the matric results that had an impact on our admissions process, the earlier registration process and commencement of classes indeed created pressure on all our processes and systems. I am glad to say that indications are that we have reached our targets in terms of first-time enrolments with good quality students. We have set a target of 6 073 for first-year entrants for 2010. At present, the student enrolment for 2010 is as follows (distance students and most postgraduates excluded):
|
2009 Actual |
2010 Target |
First-time entering undergraduates registered |
Total number of students registered - excluding distance and postgraduate students |
| Mafikeng Campus |
1 251 |
1 530 |
1 992 |
6 022 |
| Potchefstroom Campus |
3 119 |
3 477 |
3 834 |
14 470 |
| Vaal Triangle Campus |
856 |
1 066 |
1 258 |
3 780 |
| NWU Total |
5 226 |
6 073 |
7 084 |
24 272 |
The good news is that our recruitment processes have brought far more students at an earlier stage to especially the Vaal Triangle and Mafikeng campuses - with the Mafikeng Campus processing almost 8 000 applications.
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Core-business performance
With regard to our core-business performance, most of the statistics regarding key performance indicators e.g. throughput rates and articles published will only be available around April, but I have a sense that the results for 2009 will be mostly positive. In view of the NWU's excellent performance in terms of our core business in 2008, we continued to build on that strong foundation. In keeping focused in our approach to improve our core business, I am confident that we will be able to achieve our mission of being a balanced teaching-learning and research university by the end of 2013, ten years after the merger.
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With regard to teaching-learning, the challenge remains to ensure access within the boundaries of academic qualifications and available funds. We also have to focus on success. In practical terms, this means an undergraduate success rate of 85% (we were between 82% and 83%), while ensuring that the drop-out rate of first-years is below 15%. We need to deliver well-rounded graduates to the country and the world to help alleviate an ever-growing skills shortage. In line with our own assessment of the state of our academic programme offerings, we will have to focus on a smooth implementation of the aligned programmes, as well as the completion of the alignment process, especially at postgraduate level. |
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In terms of research, we need to improve quality while working on growing quantity. It seems from first indications that we will at least be able to match the excellent output of 2008 - and on all three campuses. The only disappointing elements of the 2008 results - fewer master's degrees and PhDs - may also show improvement in 2009. In the longer run, we aim at publishing 60% of our published research in ISI journals (52% at present) and 0,8 published articles per academic staff member per year - we were at 0,54 in 2008. Furthermore we are working to having 15% of all academic staff rated by the NRF (11% in 2008) and 55% of them having PhDs (46% in 2009). |
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In terms of implementation of expertise, we are developing a measurable framework for community engagement with a focus on development rather than mere community work. Of course, we remain in need for more patents and spin-off companies to enhance our income. |
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Specific interventions for 2010
With regard to other challenges for 2010, I would like to highlight a couple of priorities / specific interventions for 2010:
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The important matters of transformation and the achievement of social cohesion are high on the agenda of the NWU. Regardless of the fact that this term is often abused in an ideologically narrowed way, the essence of transformation - being able to adapt timeously and effectively to changing circumstances - is a priority. We have to redress the infrastructure backlogs where necessary, we must equalise and normalise student experience at all levels and we have to make progress in terms of diversity at staff level. Because progress with regard to true transformation is imperative, the NWU Council is at present actively engaging with this matter. The outcome of this will be the transformation colloquium to be held in the second quarter. More details will be made available soon. We will also receive the outcome of the culture and climate survey conducted at the end of last year soon. Once again, thank you to all staff who participated in the survey. |
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Apart from the need to focus on internationalisation and regional involvement, we need further improvement of our quality assurance processes. Clearly we did ourselves proud in the way the HEQC quality audit was conducted last year. Management had first sight of the draft audit report which is indeed very objective and constructive and confirms that we have put in place strategies and quality assurance mechanisms that will ensure that we will achieve our goals to play an even more pivotal role in the higher education landscape. We are expecting the final report around May. What remains is to continue to address the quality management gaps identified during the audit in line with our own project plan as well as the formal audit feedback from the HEQC. |
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2010 ushers in the full implementation of the programme alignment process. We know that the necessary planning for the alignment of the undergraduate programmes has been completed, but we also know that the faculties are hard at work with implementation plans and to ensure effective communication with all stakeholders. Meanwhile, the process on the continuation of postgraduate programme alignment remains high on the agenda. |
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We are indeed delighted to be part of the FIFA soccer tournament and I trust that you will all enjoy the ex gratia leave scheduled from 28 June to 9 July. I want to emphasise it again that we want as many as possible colleagues to enjoy this token of appreciation. Management is in the process of identifying which colleagues will have to render essential services during that period. |
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We must continue to improve our student experience on all our campuses. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we maintain a sound and balanced student experience, including academic excellence, organised student life, sport and culture. This coming year and 2011 will see even more infrastructure developments on all our campuses with investments of more than R270 million underway. In this regard, sport remains a core strength of the NWU's non-academic life and based on achievements, the NWU is now undoubtedly not only the best governed university in South Africa, but also the best sport university. In December, the Mafikeng Campus joined the Potchefstroom Campus (USSA champions in rugby) and the Vaal Triangle Campus (USSA champions in Cricket - B division) when the Soccer Institute won the USSA soccer title in December. Coupled with our graduation rate (under the top three universities) and our cultural achievements, we are indeed excelling in developing well-rounded and balanced students. |
The detailed targets can be found here.
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I am convinced that if we continue to improve our core business like we have done the past couple of years, we will be able to achieve our mission of being a balanced teaching-learning and research university by the end of 2013, ten years after the merger. Just to make sure that we are all on the same page, the following summary makes for interesting reading and clearly illustrates our progress to date.
Colleagues, I am sure that you will agree that 2010 will be full of excitement. The year lies ahead with all its challenges and excitement. I wish all of you a successful, constructive and inspiring year...we are indeed in for a ride in the fast lane...
Kind regards
THEUNS ELOFF
Vice-Chancellor
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