Eight workshops have already been held since May 2018 and more than 100 support staff have already attended. The latest workshop was held on 22 and 23 May 2019 and more are planned for the future.

 

“Alignment is one of the biggest issues and needs for departments,” says Johanna Müller, quality manager for support services.

 

“The purpose of these workshops is to assist departments to align according to the NWU’s new unitary structure across the campuses. Processes and quality assurance are at the centre of this.”

 

Tailor-made for each department

 

She says what makes these workshops especially valuable is that they are hands-on and tailored to the quality assurance processes that apply to each department.

 

Johan Erasmus, quality coordinator for quality enhancement, says staff have the opportunity to practice how to design processes. “We take them through various phases – from decision-making to drafting a report.”

 

Ensuring a smooth transition

 

There are two-day and four-day workshops, both designed to ensure an effective, aligned work environment.

 

“With each workshop we aim to develop a roadmap that addresses the needs of each department. This helps staff to document key issues such as strategy, purpose, roles, processes and risk management in a comprehensive manual,” Johanna says.

 

“It assists them to make a smooth transition when one campus is being aligned with another.”

 

Facilitators understand needs

 

The facilitators are respected NWU staff members Corneels Schabort and GP van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, whose presentation skills and styles have received positive feedback from staff attending the workshops, Johanna says.

 

“Their expertise as an academic and marketer respectively illustrates how support staff and academics can work effectively together to ensure quality enhancement.”

 

She says the commitment of management has been an important success factor.

 

“We are especially grateful for the support of Prof Linda du Plessis, who is very positive towards this new approach of quality enhancement. Her support helps us drive this initiative that ultimately empowers staff.”

 

Support departments that have already taken part in the workshops include the Career Centre, Higher Degree Administration, Research Support, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Information Technology, among others.

 

Click here for more information about the quality workshops. (You have to log in with your username and Novell password.)