Download the Annual report 2011 - Unisa

formation from the weekly Management Committee
meetings is immediately published on the university’s intranet
for the notice of all staff members.
Staff training initiatives
A total of 213 staff training sessions were arranged and
attended by 9 344 persons. The total skills development
budget for external training was R22 616 271, 00 and
R16 413 504, 00 was spent. In respect of the internal
training budget allocation, R35 942 408, was allocated
and R28 324 259, 50 was spent.
Student governance
Student Representative Council
Governance: The Student Representative Council (SRC)
was elected in 2010, and 2011 marked their second
year in office. Twelve of the 84-member SRC were
based in Pretoria as the National SRC of the university.
Six of the 12 members constituted the National Working
Committee of the SRC and were charged with managing
the day-to-day work of the SRC. The other 72
members continued to serve students in Pretoria, Johannesburg,
Cape Town, Midlands, Limpopo and KwaZulu-
Natal.
Student associations and structures: The SRC is the
convenor of all student interactions, fellowship, participation
and networking. Several student structures and
organisations complied with all constitutional requirements
for recognition which was duly given. There were
15 structures in Johannesburg, 13 structures in Pretoria,
10 structures in KwaZulu-Natal, 3 structures in the Cape
Coastal region, 5 structures in the Midlands, and 8 structures
in the Eastern Cape region. Support was provided
to these structures in accordance with their respective
programmes of action.
Participation in university structures/activities: The
relationship between the SRC and the institutional Management
was characterised by co-operation and respect.
There are two members of the SRC on the University
Council and they participate as equal members of Council
on various Council committees. The SCR is also represented
on the Senate, and several committees of
Senate including the Senate Tuition and Learner Support
Committee. The students occupied four seats on the Institutional
Forum in terms of the University Statute, they
also have representation on the International Relationship
Committee and each of the College Boards. The
university is satisfied with the student contribution and
participation in the various fora and lauds their enriching
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perspectives and contributions to the committee discussions.
(At an individual level, several members of the
student leadership also made an impact in the national
arena of student and political leadership (including
SASCO, the Black Management Forum, the SA Union of
Students, and the Black Lawyers’ Association) and were
elected to various offices across the country.)
The work of the SRC was guided by its approved strategic
plan and programme of action. Some of the highlights
of the year included the launch of the Graduate
Alive Campaign in Limpopo, which aimed at encouraging
Unisa students to prioritise their academic work,
take care of their health, know their HIV/Aids status, and
receive their qualifications while they are still alive. Another
highlight is the launch of the SRC Alumni programme.
There was also a co-operative effort between
the NSRC and the University administration, whereby
SRC members took on the roles of advisors to help students
in the regions with access to registration and admission.
The SRC 2010/11 was also able to work with the Advocacy
and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities
(ARCSWiD) to form an association of students with
disabilities. The launch of the association is planned for
2012.
Training and development: In keeping with its goal
to enhance and empower student leaders, the Management
Committee approved a week-long study programme
in Ireland for the President of the SRC. In
addition, six members of the national working committee
accompanied young academics on an exchange visit
to India, again with the aim of sharing and learning. In
2011 a leadership development programme for student
leaders was conceptualised and discussed with SRC
members during their meeting with the Vice-Chancellor.
The programme is aimed at inculcating the traits of
ethical and servant leadership in the student leaders and
will be implemented for all members of the SRC from
2012. In order to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the
programme, it will be offered through the mode of satellite
delivery to all the regions.
The following further training and development interventions
were implemented for members of the SRC: a
workshop on the impact of free education, a discussion
on balancing student life with leadership roles and work;
and training was also done on procurement, budget, investment
and financial statements.