2020 Annual Report

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 and move to OdeL
• Appointment of a Ministerial Task Team by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to conduct an independent review of the university.
In relation to governance, Council ensured efficiencies were improved to ensure we continue to offer critical services to key stakeholders and students regardless of the impact of Covid-19.