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GROUP 126 March 2009
UNISA in the Higher Education Environment
Dikeledi Mahlo
Mtholeni Ngcobo
Tintswalo Tivana
Charnelle van der Bijl
Introduction• “Towards the African (mega) University in the
Service of Humanity” ‘towards’: developmental journey: dynamism, a
clarity of purpose, a sense of adventure and boldness!
being a part of Africa: SA = 100% African
‘the’ – excellence to strive for
‘service of humanity’ to promote universality and the development of the African continent
CORE FUNCTIONS
1.Deliver quality undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications
2. Strive to conduct and maintain high quality research and teaching
3. Enhance community engagement
CORE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
• VALUES:• Social justice and
fairness• Integrity• Excellence
• PRINCIPLES:• Student centredness• Collegiality• Sound educational
principles and practices
• Service to humanity
Institutional challenges
Transformation
Funding
Loss of best talent
“UNISA TOMORROW”STRATEGIC PLAN 2015
1.Leading provider of world class higher education through open and distance education learning
2. Business model and tuition model must be adapted to meet changing needs and competition
3. Needs greater flexibility for students but also adequate formative assessment is needed
4. Must also be sensitive to prevailing practices at other mega universities
• UNISA is a service orientated culture which looks at:
Learner support methodologies Processes and facilities Quality staff and tutors Help staff through in staff training To provide greater flexibility to students Enhance learner support methodology and
processes To co-operate with other institutions eg African
Union and Association of African Universities Leading edge information and communication
technology architecture is needed
• What is our institution type?• UNISA is defined by:
• “its articulation between generally academic and vocationally-orientated programmes in giving effect to its core functions of teaching, research and community engagement”
• An academic product range across fields of study• Niche based programmes that are formal and non-
formal• Multiple modes of delivery and learner centredness• Work and industry integrated learning
Key performance areas
UNISA has committed to improve the standard of education in SA through outreach programmes
For example: ABSA and TOYOTA Foundations.
Giving back or serving the community
For example: the Legal Aid Clinic
• Research and knowledge production - Available training funds have been made available for UNISA employees to attend workshops, seminars and etc, to keep abreast of their (employees) field of specialisation or interests.
• Tuition – UNISA is very particular and conscience about teaching providing relevant material to its students and to regularly improve on the methods of providing such material.
• Academic citizenship – employees are encouraged to be a member of a professional body
For example: The Law Society
Greater vision/ projects
• UNISA has a greater vision entailing the engaging in a number of super projects e.g. Sunny town, Irene conference centre, projects going on in Florida and the new Face of UNISA (building down TVW)
• These are projects aimed at developing the facilities that will promote higher students success rate, encourage greater scholarly collaboration and enable UNISA to meet the demand for credible, affordable, accessible tertiary education in Africa.
• UNISA is also partnering towards the interests of advancing the development of HE on the continent (hence “The African University in service of humanity” see the collaboration between UNISA, DFA and Sudan government (CARS project)
• There is also collaboration with other institutions e.g. – University of Agostinho Neto in Angola for post-graduate students.
Thank Thank you!you!
