The Minister of Higher Education Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande says he is still studying the report of the Independent Assessor into the Affairs of the University of South Africa (Unisa) that found irregularities, flaunting procedures and systematic challenges at the institution.
“I expect to finalise this as soon as possible. It is an extensive report. I also have to study the response by the council including the vice chancellor. Remember also when I gazetted the report other people who have an interest have also written to me stating their own views so it is important to study those very closely. But at the same time it is important that we act as soon as possible.
“I am very concerned that those things need to be addressed in one way or the other. But that we should not detract. Let us not be in opposition to celebrating 150 years because in order for Unisa to have another 150 years it must address the problem it faces. So the two things are not in contradiction but it is important that a decision is taken so Unisa can continue to play the unique role that it is playing in our higher education system,” said Nzimande.
A report of the independent assessor into the affairs of the Unisa by Professor Themba Mosia has found that there were systematic challenges and irregularities at the distance learning institution.
The assessor said he received representations that the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula didn’t qualify for the position as “she did not fulfill the 10+ years experience” required by the job advertisement and “the process was manipulated to suit her”.
The report found that the job advertisement was poorly constructed and the shortlisting process was flawed.
“The next requirement is a 10+ years’ experience in which ‘a deeper insight into every aspect of higher education is demonstrated. This requirement, which some allege was tempered, is fuzzy, to say the least. Having looked at the three candidates that were shortlisted, one was a solid academic with only about an 18 months stint in the office of the former VC assisting with various projects.
“This was a candidate that was pushed ‘against her will’ to make herself available. She has an impressive publication record. According to the above two requirements, she would not come even close to a deeper insight into every aspect of higher education and have 10+ years’ experience to demonstrate it, but she was shortlisted, said the report.
“The other candidate had at best 6 years of senior/executive management experience and approximately six years teaching experience but has no academic CV at all to make up for the unfair requirement alluded to above.
“The candidate that was appointed does not have the 10+ years’ experience, where a deeper insight of every aspect of higher education is demonstrated. The governance failure of the Council can therefore not be blamed on the candidates that hopefully presented themselves in good faith responding to a poorly written advertisement,” said the report.
The assessors report also found that there were “a number of systemic and structural challenges” in the office of the registrar.
“Office of the Registrar – The report demonstrates a number of systemic and structural challenges that point to the dysfunctionality of the Office, particularly as it relates to student administration.
“I recommend that the structure of the Registrar’s Office be reviewed with the sole intent of making it functional and efficient. The Dean of Students’ Office is also dysfunctional and needs to be reviewed to ensure it fulfils its main purpose of serving students optimally,” said the report.
