Page 68 - DUT Annual Report 2023

REPORT OF
THE INSTITUTIONAL FORUM
The Institutional Forum (IF) of the DUT, 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. No. 48062 of 17 February 2023, hereby presents this 2023 Annual Report.
All four scheduled meetings in 2023 were convened in person, in the University Council chamber.
Institutional Forum as an Advisory
Body to the Council
In 2023, the IF continued to act in an advisory capacity to Council. Reports that covered a wide range of issues that the IF considered as impacting DUT were submitted to each scheduled Council meeting in 2023. Examples of those issues during the period under review are as follows:
Appointment of DVCs: Teaching and Learning, Research Innovation and Engagement (for Recommendation to Council)
The IF participated in the selection of the senior executives as prescribed by the Statute. In 2023, the IF made recommendations for two vacancies: Deputy Vice- Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and Deputy Vice- Chancellor for Research Innovation and Engagement. Different principles were suggested by members to ensure the uniformity and credibility of the process. The IF members raised concerns that it is difficult to advise Council on who should be appointed based only on presentations and CVs. The IF should be involved in the entire process.
Benchmarking Exercise
All members of the IF were supposed to be part of the benchmarking exercise but, due to budgetary constraints, only a few members of the IF EXCO participated in part
of the benchmarking exercise. The task team comprised of Dr Zamokuhle Mbandlwa (IF Chairperson), Mr Nelson Munsamy (IF Deputy Chairperson), Ms Nkubungu Sthombe (IF member) and Mr Sibongiseni Michael Dlamini (Secretariat). The benchmarking exercise was conducted in the Western Cape at the University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Cape Town, in April 2023. The IF recommended that benchmarking also be conducted at the local institutions, that is the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Zululand. Several attempts were made to secure a meeting with the leadership of both institutions but the leadership is only available in 2024. The IF has planned a workshop for 2024 after the benchmarking has been completed with both of these institutions. The workshop will focus on the outcomes of the benchmarking exercise and recommend best practices for the effective functioning of the IF at the DUT.
Maintenance Issues
As per section 1 of the Statute, the IF advises Council on issues affecting the institution. The IF advised that maintenance does affect the university. The IF discussed infrastructure challenges in the institution, particularly the state of the lecture theatres. The chairperson (Dr Mbandlwa) together with Mr P. Moodley (IF member) met the Senior Director: Real Estate Policy, Planning & Projects. The meeting was informed by the several complaints made by the academic staff members and students.
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DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2023