Page 10 - DUT Annual Report 2024

The Risk Committee continued to perform its critical oversight on matters of risk. Regular risk reports prepared by Management were received and discussed at Risk Committee meetings.
The Human Resources Committee, chaired by the Vice- Chair of Council, ably performed its oversight role in matters relating to Human Resources. The committee recommended a considerable number of policies, which were approved by Council at its various meetings.
The University’s financial system and practices continue to improve under the guidance of the Finance Committee and the complementary role played by the Audit Committee through regular reports received by these committees. The Council also plays a significant role in its oversight of the finances through the thoroughness of its actions in such matters. Evidence of sound financial management can be seen in the unqualified Annual Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report.
Strengthening Governance
Institutional Forum
Approval of policies and other official documents
As part of its oversight role, Council approves and, in certain cases, notes relevant policies and other governance documents, such as revised Terms of Reference of University structures. To this end, various policies and governance documents were dealt with by the Council in 2024, including:
• Suspension of Internal Mobility Policy
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Policy for Standardisation of Research Output
Expectations
• Policy on Establishment of Research Institutes,
Research Centres, Research Focus Areas and
Research Chairs
• Naming Policy for University-owned Property,
Buildings and Facilities
• Review of Remuneration Policy
• Custody and Disposal of Accounting Records Policy • Review of the Petty Cash Policy
• Revenue Management Policy
• Borrowing Policy
• Policy: Managing Protests, Strikes, Pickets and
Demonstrations for implementation
• Review of Student Tuition, Residence and Related Fee
Accounts Policy
Conclusion
Once again, I wish to thank all the University stakeholders for having shown the much-needed resilience, commitment, and passion that enabled the University to see the year through successfully. I would like to thank Messrs DP Makaya, M Shange and M Gumede, whose terms of office ended, for their dedication to the work of Council, and wish them well in their future endeavours. Lastly, I thank the Council members for their continued dedication to the work of the University for which their respective constituencies appointed them.
The Institutional Forum (IF) is tasked, among other things, with the responsibility to advise Council on institutional transformation, including race and gender policies. In a bid to deepen the understanding of the IF to execute its duties properly, a workshop was held by the IF to peruse and understand the meaning of the report it received from a delegation that had visited other IFs at the University of the Western Cape.
Establishment of Infrastructure and ICT Committee of Council
The Council has extensively dealt with matters related to infrastructure and ICT without having a committee dedicated to overseeing the management of such massive projects. Therefore, the Council established an Infrastructure and ICT Committee, which is chaired by an external member of Council.
MR N. Z. W. MADINANE
Chairperson of Council
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DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2024