Page 51 - UniZulu Annual Report 2020

CONCLUDING REMARKS
UNIZULU continues to improve its governance with enhanced operations to support the academic enterprise and ensure sustainability. This is evidenced by the strong policy framework with monitoring mechanisms, legal compliance with no reportable irregularities, ethical conduct and performance assessment of the Council and its committees. Sound financial management remains key to enhancing internal financial controls and the implementation of key financial systems and procedures underpins effective financial management. The new Integrated Human Resources Framework ensures transactional efficiency, improves recruitment, retention and creates an institutionalised performance management culture with an enhanced focus on staff well-being and development. The creation of a broad spectrum of programmes with the characteristics of a comprehensive university remained a key strategic focus in 2020 in its attempt to create a quality teaching and learning environment as a comprehensive university. This is evidenced by the accreditation and development of various programmes. The University also focused on the development and entrenchment of an appropriate institutional academic philosophy, an approach that integrated teaching and learning, research and community engagement.
UNIZULU had to adapt to address the significant
Ms N. Caluza Chairperson of Council
COVID-19 pandemic risk that plagued the world. This led to multimodal teaching and learning strategies for all its students, with short-term and mid-term interventions, but also projects marked for the long-term horizon post the COVID-19 crisis phase. Initially, the implementation of the new Teaching and Learning Plan led to a revised academic calendar, the implementation of digital learning and online training and a Workplace Plan to manage a phased return of staff and students to campuses. Despite the crisis, UNIZULU managed to develop its Research Data Management System aimed at the administration of Research Output Units and research trends and various research collaborations were conducted among UNIZULU, regional and international organisations. Consistency in research publications and related subsidy income, advances in technology transfer patent disclosures, notable patent registrations on strategic international markets, and growth in postgraduate throughputs reveal UNIZULU as a university on the rise. Students completed their examinations and the Institution’s graduation was completed – a significant milestone given the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately, had a significant impact on infrastructure development. UNIZULU, however, finalised its Master Project List and Project Management Plan for implementation in 2021. Overall, 2020 has been a year of many achievements with minor deviation from the performance plan, which can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. X. Mtose Vice-Chancellor
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UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND ANNUAL REPORT 2020