Page 8 - DUT Annual Report 2023

REPORT OF
THE CHAIRPERSON OF COUNCIL (2023)
MR N.Z.W. MADINANE
Chairperson of Council
The Council of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) derives its authority from the Higher Education Act of 1997 (No. 101 of 1997), as amended. This Act provides the governance and oversight framework for Council. The Council is required to submit this report by provisions in the Act and the regulations published in terms of the Act, on 9 June 2014, Government Gazette No. 37726. This Chairperson’s report, read collectively with the various sub-sections of this report, complies with the requirements stipulated in the above regulations.
Introduction
Council continued in 2023 to meet desired expectations with commitment and execute its fiduciary duties diligently. To accomplish its responsibilities with efficiency and effectiveness, Council held a successful workshop on governance-related matters in June 2023. This annual Council workshop, which was facilitated by an external expert, sought to “unblur governance and management lines” in an endeavour to deepen a shared understanding of governance and management roles as distinct, but complementary, areas of control. The transient impact of this capacity-building session was the subsequent adoption of the Delegation of Authority Register and Institutional Rules in line with the newly approved DUT Statute. Further, the concept of ‘frugal strategic reporting’ enhances Council into management and administrative matters ensures that Council’s role to focus on strategic matters while deferring administrative and operational matters to management.
Academic activities started smoothly and were commended by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation during their oversight visit to monitor the university’s readiness for the 2023
registration season. During this oversight visit Council was represented by the Deputy Chair, Ms Brenda Ntombela, the Chair of the Risk Committee, Mr Zakhele Gumede, and a Council member, Prof. Louis Molamu. Both Management and SRC cooperated and ensured that, despite some minor disruptions, the registration was smoother than in previous years. I extend my deepest condolences to all DUT colleagues, students, and stakeholders who lost loved ones during the year. I am happy to report that the university demonstrated resilience and agility in ensuring business continuity against all odds. The ensuing sections of this report focus on selected matters dealt with by the Council and its committees.
Activities of Council and its Committees
Council, unlike in 2022, finished 2023 with a full complement of membership. The appointment of the last member focused on the nomination of a person with knowledge of real estate management. The commitment and resilience shown by all members of Council and its committees continued to inspire me as Chairperson of the Council, as it happened in 2022, and I thank them once again.
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DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2023