Page 53 - UniZulu Annual Report 2020

COUNCIL’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNANCE
The Council of the University is the highest decision- making body and has the fiduciary responsibility for the Institution.
During the year under review, the Council remained established committees assist Council with the effective
committed to its primary role and responsibilities of steering and setting the strategic direction of the Institution, approving policies and planning,
overseeing, monitoring and ensuring accountability and sustainability. Council prescribes to good governance principles as set out in the HE Act, the regulations, the statute as well as the DHET Governance Guidelines. Accordingly, Council endorses, and during the period under review has applied, the reporting regulations. Council is committed as a Public Higher Education Institution (PHEI) to the principles of discipline, transparency, independence, accountability, responsibility, fairness and social responsibility. Council recognises the need to conduct its business as PHEI with integrity and in accordance with generally accepted practices as evidenced in the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.
GOVERNANCE AT UNIZULU
As the focal point and custodian of corporate governance in the University, Council sets an operational governance framework whereby it and its committees, as well as those committees established in terms of the statute, are being regulated. Council comprises balance of skills, experience, diversity, independence and knowledge needed to discharge its role and responsibilities. Council’s
discharge of responsibilities. Each committee has its charter that sets out its terms of reference, minimum membership and expected experience and skills required by members to serve on the committee. Council has merged the audit committee and risk committee into ARCC. The Committee reviewed as to whether management has put adequate and effective controls in place to facilitate better decision- making. Members are accountable for ethical and effective leadership as contained in the Code of Conduct of Council, the implementation of which is monitored by ARCC. Council members completed the Governance Indicators Scorecard for Councils of South African PHEIs, which was submitted to DHET. This has been the practice since 2018. The 2020 performance evaluations of Council, its sub-committees, its chairs and members, the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar as Secretary has resulted in continuous improved performance and effectiveness. Council has led ethically, effectively and governed the University in a manner that supported the establishment of an ethical culture.
DELEGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT
The appointment of, and delegation to, competent executive management contributes to an effective arrangement by which authority and responsibilities are exercised. Council approved a delegation framework that sets out
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UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND ANNUAL REPORT 2020