Page 61 - DUT Annual Report 2020

DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 2020
REPORT OF THE INSTITUTIONAL FORUM
The Institutional Forum (IF) of the Durban University of Technology in its capacity of a statutory institutional governance structure established in terms of section 26 (2) of the Higher Education Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended by the Statute No. 34953 of 20 January 2012, hereby presents its report to Council.
Four scheduled meetings were held in 2020, three as virtual engagements due to COVID-19 lockdown measures.
ENGAGEMENT WITH COUNCIL
At the request of the DUT Council Chairperson, a meeting chaired by the Council Chair and comprising the Deputy Chair of Council and the IF executive committee (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary) took place to discuss, inter alia, clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the IF, quarterly IF reports to Council, and IF agenda concerns. This resulted in the consideration of a workshop related to the roles and responsibilities of the IF, a possible budget allocation for the IF, and an undertaking regarding Council responses to IF recommendations. Further, there was agreement on the IF being able to comment on the amended DUT statute prior to any Council approval thereof.
APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR
MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
The IF congratulates the following staff on their appointment to senior management positions at DUT during the reporting year of 2020:
Prof N Sibiya (DVC: Teaching and Learning)
Prof F Netswera (Executive Dean: Faculty of
Management Sciences)
Dr J Molete (Centre Director: Midlands)
Mrs NF Dhumazi (Chief Financial Officer)
FOSTERING OF INSTITUTIONAL
CULTURE
In terms of fostering an Institutional Culture which promotes tolerance and respect for fundamental human rights and creates an appropriate environment for instruction, research and learning: The IF recognises the strides the University is making towards building an inclusive Institutional Culture, particularly as promoted through ENVISION2030 and its focus on values- and principles-based behaviours. ENVISION2030 is seen as a transformative strategy that will contribute towards ensuring that the University is indeed impactful, both internally and externally, in improving lives and livelihoods. The translation of the University’s name into isiZulu is a further example of strides towards inclusivity.
The IF recognises the strides that the University is making, evidenced through the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings of DUT in the top five of South African universities, in the top 100 worldwide and 10th for citations.
The IF supports management’s intent to ensure that there is a cohort of well-qualified staff to guide our students and facilitate their learning and development, and will take care to ensure that any staff-related matters pertaining to appropriate qualifications are handled with sensitivity, care and compassion.
I thank the members of the 2020 IF for their attendance and attention to matters at hand.
Dr Knowledge Siyabonga Ngwane
Chairperson: Institutional Forum
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