Download the Annual report 2011 - Unisa

UNISA ANNUAL REPORT 2011
COUNCIL REPORT ON
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The University of South Africa has embraced the systematic inculcation
of sound and transparent corporate governance in the institution
and its operations. Goal 6 of the university’s strategic plan
Unisa 2015 Revisited stipulates unequivocally: “Establish Unisa as a
leader in sound corporate governance and the promotion of sustainability.”
This will be done through the development of “an integrated
strategy for corporate social responsibility in respect of economic, social,
and environmental areas in line with King III and UNGC principles.” I believe
we have achieved great success, to the extent that Unisa’s governance
structure and practice easily rank among the best in higher education in
South Africa. Ethical African leadership has been foregrounded in all the
oversight activities and decisions of the Council; and yet in the dynamic environment
in which we operate, there is always room for improvement, particularly
around issues of environmental sustainability, and also in ensuring
that the values of ethics and ethical leadership are effectively cascaded and
implemented throughout the university in compliance with the agreed goal
on governance.
Ethics
Unisa has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for staff as well as a separate Code of Ethics for members
of Council. The employee code is currently before the Bargaining Forum for review whilst the
Code of Ethics for Council was reviewed and updated at the annual strategic Council workshop.
The Code of Ethics is engaged and signed by all members of Council on an annual basis.
At the end of 2010, KPMG was requested to conduct an ethics audit of the university. The results
were disconcerting and Council and Management recognised the need for a more dedicated,
embedded programme of ethics training and awareness at the university.
Council is pleased with the many initiatives that have been – and continue to be – introduced
to establish the appropriate values platform for the university in accordance with Goal 6.
We look forward to monitoring the progress of the activities with EthicsSA to prepare a
three-year ethics strategy for Unisa. It is acknowledged that this is a journey and the operational
roll-out will be managed and monitored.
All members of Council are required to sign a Code of Conduct, as well as an Annual
Declaration of Interests form. Members of Council were also alerted to the stringent
provisions of the Higher Education Amendment Bill specifically with reference to conflict
and declaration of interest. I also conveyed the message from Council to the
Unisa community at the Vice-Chancellor’s Summit and emphasised our commitment
to ethics and governance.
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