Limpopo Leader - Spring 2005 - University of Limpopo

News flash:
THE LATEST ON MEDUNSA
AND THE MEDIA
o
ON 12 JUNE 2005 THE TV
PROGRAMME CARTE BLANCHE
PRESENTED AN ‘EXPOSE’ OF
CERTAIN ALLEGED WRONG-
DOINGS ON THE MEDUNSA
CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
LIMPOPO. In particular, attention
was focused on irregularities in
student entrance and exit
procedures, as well as certain
questionable managerial
practices.
It is important that this
response of senior Limpopo
University management is seen
in the context of the merger, on
1 January 2005, between the old
University of the North and
Medunsa. Such mergers are never
easy. Nevertheless, the Limpopo
merger has been characterised by
serious attempts to harmonise the
two institutions and to establish a
common high standard both in the
academic and ethical spheres.
Details of the management
response to the Carte Blanche
accusations are as follows:
• Entrance procedures.
Carte Blanche detailed a
specific case where the
established entrance criteria
appeared to have been
ignored. What was not stated
was that the University Council
had decided to reverse its
ruling to admit the student in
question BEFORE the case was
aired on Carte Blanche. The
Council’s decision has
subsequently been contested
in court, which means that the
matter is now sub judice.
• Exit procedures. Carte
Blanche exposed the case of
a Medunsa medical student
who had entered into an
internship before passing
certain examinations.
University management points
out that the student in question
does not hold a medical
degree – a situation that
applies to all medical interns.
• Management irregularities.
The accusations relating to
inappropriate fringe benefits
and procurement irregularities
are immediately admitted by
University management.
However, it is pointed out that
soon after the merger had
taken effect, and months
BEFORE the Carte Blanche
expose, the University had
ordered an investigation by
a firm of external auditors as
part of efforts to harmonise
the two campuses. This
investigation had uncovered
several irregularities that
were reported to the national
Minister of Education and
immediately addressed. It is
certainly true that some senior
administrators at Medunsa
were not flattered by the
investigation.
In the broader context of the
merger and Limpopo University’s
determination to couple two
vibrant institutions to a single
strategic vision, it is not surprising
that heads could roll. Indeed, the
University has recently parted
company with two senior
Medunsa staff members who
appeared to be operating outside
the new vision. At this stage,
University management has no
intention of elaborating on the
details of their departure.
The strategic vision of the new
University of Limpopo is to build
on the multiple strengths of both
institutions to establish what two
successive national Ministers
of Education have called ‘the
premier African university’. This
institution will be wholly situated
in Limpopo province. Medunsa’s
health focus will be a huge
contribution to the powerful
new university, as will the many
centres of excellence already
existing on both campuses ...
Read about plenty of these
centres in this edition of
Limpopo Leader.
The letters page has been moved to page 32 for this edition of Limpopo Leader.
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