2006/2007 - University of Swaziland

University Bookshop - Continuedis committed to improving the quality of service toensure that it is in line with the changing environment.During the year under review, the Bookshop continuedto cultivate within the academic departments the cultureof ordering textbooks early as it has been proven thatif textbooks are not on the shelves when students needthem they will not sell.Packaging of BooksThe suspension of the packaging of books continues tobe a challenge to the Bookshop as it has greatly affectedits operations. The issue of commitment forms needsto be pursued as an alternative to the packaging ofbooks and discussions will be held with the BookshopCommittee to find ways of pursuing this route in orderto safeguard from the obvious accumulation of idlestock.Bookshop Infrastructure/OperationsRenovations to the Mbabane Campus Bookshop werecompleted and it moved to larger and better premisesat the beginning of the academic year. The transportationof stationery and books within the campuses remainsa challenge.StaffingThe Bookshop is still faced with the challenge of limitedstaff and survives through the engagement of casualstaff.FINANCESDuring the period under review and as reportedpreviously, the funding of the Universitycontinued to be of great concern to the UniversityCouncil and Management. While the UniversityCouncil has taken energetic steps towards widening itsrevenue base through such initiatives as the Foundation,the Swaziland Government remains a major financier forthe University. The operations budget allocation for alldepartments, while below the expected level, was furtherdented by the transfer of E17,962,000 from operations topersonnel costs on the understanding that reimbursementwould be received from the Ministry of Education aspromised.The funding of capital projects also continues to be ofgrave concern to the University as the Swaziland Governmenthas not been able to provide capital funding to theUniversity in spite of the increasing student enrolment.Teaching and office space continue to be bottlenecks.The University had a disagreement with the Associationof Lecturers and Administrative Personnel (ALAP) overthe annual cost of living adjustment, resulting in the matterMr. M.E. DlaminiBursarbeing taken up with the Conciliation Mediation andArbitration Commission (CMAC). The consequences ofthis was an award of 4.5% instead of the budgeted amountof 3.8%. This further aggravated the cash flow situationof the University, particularly as the non-academic staffhad to be given the same adjustment.As the Swaziland Government through the Ministry ofEducation is seriously considering granting scholarshipsonly to students in certain priority areas, UNISWA'stuition revenue from turition fees will inevitably decline.95REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR 2006-2007