Page 2 - EC Highlights 2024

Message from the Eastern Cape Regional Director
The UNISA Eastern Cape Region comprises of three campuses, namely: East London hub, Gqeberha Regional Service Centre and Mthatha Regional Service Centre. Upon assuming the role of Regional Director from 01 January 2025, Dr Molotja’s vision for the region is built around the university’s strategic pillars, supported by the enablers and the UNISA 2030 strategy of becoming a fully-fledged Comprehensive Open Distance and E-Learning (CODeL) university. Her focus is on the following strategic priorities:
1. Growth of the region: the size of the region is determined by student numbers. The Eastern Cape region is currently the smallest as compared to other regions in terms of student numbers. Dr Molotja envisages a region that would grow in student numbers and its staff component to make meaningful contributions to the academic project and other strategic objectives of the university. To increase the student numbers, Dr Molotja aims to open a few satellite campuses in far-fletched areas to enable students to access the university’s services closer to them. This would bring the university’s services closer to students in remote rural areas and encourage them to study.
2. Contribution to the academic project: As regions are being repurposed to be centres of academic excellence, Dr Molotja’s vision for the EC region is centred around the following:
2.1 Improved student support throughout all the phases of the student walk
2.2 Bridging the geographic and time distance using technology to provide services to students wherever they are; and to use partnerships such as teacher centres and public libraries closer to where students reside for improved service delivery, especially in remote rural areas.
2.3 Working closely with colleges and other departments within the university to enhance student retention 2.4 Securing partnerships with industry, government and private sector for the provision of work integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students and other opportunities for gaining work experience such as internships etc.
With the above aspects mentioned in point 1 and 2, the region is responding to Pillar 1: Advance Technology Mediated, Quality learning and Teaching, Pillar 3: Pivot Engaged Scholarship and Global Impact, Pillar 4: Strengthening Student Support
3. Inculcating the culture of research by regional staff: this would be achieved by encouraging and supporting staff to register for Masters and Doctoral degrees, the re-establishment of the regional research committee to encourage participation in research activities such as presenting at academic conferences, writing articles and ultimately publishing research articles in accredited journals. This is aligned to Pillar 2: Propel Research Innovation.
4. Engaged Scholarship: The region is well-positioned around society and is in the best position to establish collaborations with the public and private sector on behalf of the university. Dr Molotja plans to expand partnerships within the regions on behalf of the university. Moreover, the region will conduct community outreach programmes to share knowledge and skills with communities around us.