University of South Africa

This report reflects significant activities for the period 1 January to 31 December 2021. Elements covering the total operations of Unisa are not bound entirely by this timeline, as they also highlight forward-looking aspects in the spirit of transparency. The report aims to demonstrate Unisa’s values through its tangible and intangible assets and resources. In the reporting year, Council took significant decisions to strengthen its work, provide operational stability and efficiencies, strengthen the financial sustainability of the University, support and prioritise the academic project and improve academic output. The most noteworthy decisions taken by Council included:•     Filling of vacancies on Council. •     Appointment of chairpersons of various Committees of Council (CoC) – Mr DD Mosia for the Finance, Investments and Estates Committee of Council (FIECoC) and later as Deputy Chairperson of Council; Ms SF Mudau for the Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee of Council (AERMCoC); Ms TCC Mampane for the Human Resource Committee of Council (HRCoC) from 2022; and Ms BL Mapongwana for the SECoC from 2022. It is important to note that the majority of these appointments were women, with the result that the EXCO of Council, the composition of which includes all chairpersons of committees of Council, is dominated by women. This reinforces Council’s commitment to gender equality.•     Re-appointment of former President Thabo Mbeki as Chancellor.•     Filling of vacancies at Management Committee (ManCom), namely VicePrincipals (VPs) for Information and Communication Technology as well asOperations and Facilities, as well as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This is the first phase of the implementation of ..

This year was significantly disrupted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic with unforeseen circumstances leading to multiple changes within the institution in a short space of time. However, we as Unisans truly scoffed at the face of danger; we broke the silos and opened seamless collaborations between and amongst the colleges, portfolios and departments as we brought ICT, science, health and wellness into the solution-seeking mix; human resource and pedagogical expertise became a singular frontline to fight vile nature and protect the core business of the university. Council also continued its work notwithstanding the disruption caused by the pandemic.An important consequence was to accelerate Unisa’s move towards becoming a fully-fledged ODeL institution and one of the most significant decisions taken by Council was to move all examinations online. This was in line with our long-term objectives and was accelerated by Covid-19. This year the Council focused on the following:• Approval of a number of Covid-19 related policies• Approval of revised 2030 strategy• Introduction of five-year implementation plans for each portfolio manager in line with the 2030 strategy• Filling of critical positions at vice principal level• Reimagining the research agenda which includes policies to improve research• Restructuring of various departments, especially the merger of the Thabo Mbeki Leadership Institute (TMALI), the Institute for African Renaissance (IARS) and the Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (IDRA) to establish the new Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs• Approval of fund-raising policies and tuition fee policies• Consolidation of post-doctoral research policies• Approved major ITC projects to advance digital transformation ..

Probably the key strategic decision in 2019 was the launch of an assessment initiative of the Unisa 2030 Strategy, to determine, and if required, reshape the future direction of the university.This initiative is critical to the future sustainability of the university. The process will involve reflective decision-making regarding Unisa’s core business areas of teaching and learning, research, and community engagement in order to advance scholarship. As such, intensive consultation with government, amongst other stakeholders, will be required in the process. Achieving the outcome of longevity forUnisa will entail, amongst other plans, putting measures in place to increase research outputs and reviewing our research institutes in terms of their effectiveness and optimal functioning. This is not only a matter of strategy, but important to the financial sustainability of the institution. We took a decision in 2019 to review our programme qualification mix (PQM) and accreditation process. While we are a comprehensive university offering a diversity of programmes, from certificate to Doctoral level, we see the need to streamline the number of offerings for improved focus and delivery. We aim to complete the process as soon as possible.  As an African HEI, we support the call for free education for disadvantaged students. Unisa’s fee structure has always been accommodative which has enabled the university to extend greater access to higher education to marginalised students.In addition to an affordable qualification, we offer education of a high quality.

The leadership is closely involved in writing and compiling the annual integrated report. Our Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee of Council examines the report and, with adjustments, recommends the report for tabling at the University Council meeting in June, where the report is considered and finally approved for publication.This Integrated Report, which the Unisa Council approved at their meeting of 19 June 2019 was submitted to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) at the end of June. It is available on the Unisa website at https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/News-&- Media/Publications/Annual-reports.Although Unisa embarked on its journey towards integrated reporting a few years ago, the institution until last year still produced annual reports with integrated reporting elements. This is our first integrated report. For this report, we have focused on embedding the principles and elements of the Integrated Reporting Framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), informedby DHET’s reporting requirements, and adhering to the sustainability reporting guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative. We welcome feedback on our reporting approach.This report reflects significant activities for the period 1 January to 31 December 2018. Elements covering the total operations of Unisa are not bound entirely by this timeline, as they also highlight forward-looking aspects in the spirit of integrated reporting. The report aims to demonstrate Unisa’s values though its tangible and intangible assets and resources. Unisa, along with many organisations in South Africa, is on an integrated reporting journey and plans to refine and fine-tune reporting over time. While the emphasis of the content for the report was determined by the structure and ..

This report refl ects the signifi cant activities for the period 1 January – 31 December 2017 and covers the total operations of Unisa. The emphasis of content for thereport was determined by the structure and Reporting Regulations (2014) set by the Department of Higher Education and Training “DHET”. Whilst allreasonable attempts were made to equally align the report with the best practices recommended by King IV, the report was compiled to comply fi rstly with the specifi c parameters of the DHET guidelines and respond to all the issues raised for consideration in the regulating guidelines. This onus has the eff ect of focusing the report on context-specific stipulated information outside (and different to) the recommended boundaries of King IV. However,information that may be required on any matter in this report or otherwise, may be found on either the Unisa website or bycontacting the offi ce of the Registrar at temanqm@Unisa.ac.za.

This report reflects the significant activities for the period 1 January – 31 December 2016 and covers the total operations of Unisa. The emphasis of content for thereport was determined by the structure and Reporting Regulations (2014) set by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Whilst all reasonable attemptswere made to equally align the report with the best practices recommended by King III, the report was compiled to comply firstly with the specific parameters of the DHET guidelines and respond to all the issues raised for consideration in the regulating guidelines. This onus has the effect of focussing the report on context specific stipulated information outside (and different to) the recommended boundaries of King III. However, information that may be required on any matter in this report or otherwise, may be found on either the Unisa website or by contacting the office of the Registrar at temanqm@unisa.ac.za.

This report refl ects the signifi cant activities for the period 1 January – 31 December 2015 and covers the total operations of Unisa. The emphasis of content for thereport was determined by the Reporting Regulations (2014) set by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Whilst all reasonable attempts weremade to equally align the report with the best practices recommended by King III, a critical challenge in preparing the report was the requirement to comply with thespecifi c parameters of the DHET guidelines and respond to all the issues raised for consideration in the regulating guidelines. This onus has the effect of focussing the report on context-specific stipulated information outside (and different to) the recommended boundaries of King III. This is critical for the relevance of the report as it ensures a reflection of material information that is of direct relevanceto our particular sector, being public higher education.Further information that may be required on any matter in this report or otherwise, may be found on either the Unisa website or by contacting the office of the Registrar at zideng@unisa.ac.za.

This report reflects the significant activities for the period 1 January – 31 December 2014 and covers the total operations of Unisa. The emphasis of content for thereport was determined by the Reporting Regulations (2014) set by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Whilst all reasonable attempts were made to equally align the report with with the best practices recommended by King III, a critical challenge in preparing the report was the requirement to comply with the specific parameters of the DHET guidelines and respond to all the issues raised for consideration in the regulating guidelines. This onus has the effect of focusingthe report on context-specific stipulated information outside (and different to) the recommended boundaries of King III. This is critical for the relevance of the reportas it ensures a reflection of material information that is of direct relevance to our particular sector, being public higher education.Further information that may be required on any matter in this report or otherwise, may be found on either the Unisa website or by contacting the office of the VicePrincipal: Advisory and Assurance Services and acting Registrar: Governance by email at dsingh@unisa.ac.za

This report reflects the significant activities for the period 1 January – 31 December 2013 and covers the total operations of Unisa. The prioritisation of contents for the report was defined by the draft integrated annual report guidelines set by theDepartment of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Whilst all reasonable attempts were made to equally align the report with the best practices recommended by King III, a critical challenge in preparing the report was the requirement to comply with the specific parameters of the DHET guidelines and respond to all the issues raised for consideration in the regulating guidelines. This onus has the effect of focusing the report on context-specific stipulated information outside (and different to) the recommended boundaries of King III. This is critical for the relevance of the report as it ensures a reflection of material information that is of direct relevance to our particular sector, being public higher education. Further information that may be required on any matter in this report or otherwise, may be found on either the Unisa website or by contacting the office of the Vice-Principal: Advisory and Assurance Services and acting Registrar: Governance by email at dsingh@unisa.ac.za

This report reflects the significant activities for the period 1 January – 31 December 2012 and covers the total operations of Unisa. The prioritisation of contents for thereport was defined by the draft integrated annual report guidelines set by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Whilst all reasonable attempts were made to equally align the report with the best practices recommended by King III, a critical challenge in preparing the report was the requirement to comply with the specific parameters of the DHET guidelines and respond to all the issues raised for consideration in the regulating guidelines. This onus has the effect of focussing the report on context-specific stipulated information outside (and different to) the recommended boundaries of King III. This is critical for the relevance of the report as it ensures a reflection of materialinformation that is of direct relevance to our particular sector, being publichigher education. Further information that may be required on any matter in this report or otherwise, may be found on either the Unisa website or by contacting the office of the University Registrar or Vice-Principal: Advisory and Assurance Services by email atmosimmd@unisa.ac.za or dsingh@unisa.ac.za respectively.