Page 60 - DUT Annual Report 2024

REPORT OF
THE INSTITUTIONAL FORUM
The Institutional Forum (IF) of the Durban University of Technology, in its capacity of the statutory governance structure established in terms of section 26 (2) of the Higher Education Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended by Statute No. 48062 of 17 February 2023, hereby presents its 2024 Annual Report. All four meetings scheduled for 2024 were convened.
The Institutional Forum as an
Advisory Body to Council
In 2024 the IF continued to act in an advisory capacity to Council. Reports were submitted to each scheduled Council meeting in 2024. The reports covered a wide range of issues that the IF considered as impacting DUT, with examples of issues during the period under review outlined below.
Review of the IF Terms of
Reference
Emergence of the new DUT Statute that was signed by the Minister in 2023 necessitated that all DUT stakeholders and committees comply with an updated and latest endorsed Statute. However, the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the IF were last updated in 2012, and the TOR were aligned with the old Statute.
It became prudent that the TOR be amended to correspond with the endorsed Statute. A workshop was initiated that took place on 22 February 2024, with several discussions tabled. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the functions of the IF, Benchmarking report, and TOR. As per the Statute, the IF has the following functions:
(1) The IF must advise the Council on issues affecting the institution.
(2) Issues referred to in subparagraph (1) must include -
(a) the implementation of the Act and the national
policy on higher education;
(b) race and gender equity policies;
(c) the selection of candidates for senior management positions;
(d) codes of conduct, mediation, and dispute resolution procedures; and
(e) fostering of an institutional culture that promotes tolerance and respect for fundamental human rights and creates an appropriate environment for instruction, research, and learning.
(3) The IF also performs such functions as determined by Council.
(4) Council must consider the advice given by the IF and provide written reasons if the advice is not accepted.
In light of the above, the IF has experienced challenges in collating information from stakeholders to exercise its advisory role to the Council effectively, as many stakeholders have elected not to provide information where required, with assertions of confidential information and duplication of work.
Review of the IF Terms of Reference
The new TOR comply with the new Statute of the University. The following changes were made to membership:
28f. From two members of each trade union elected respectively by these organisations to one member.
28i. One member of the Gender Forum, elected by the Gender Forum; this constituency is no longer represented in the new Statute. This was replaced by two members of the permanent specialised professional staff elected by these staff.
More detailed changes are reflected in the TOR.
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DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2024