PHOTO: DUSCHANKA HITZEROTH
AFTER a thirty month administration overhaul by Prof Chris de Beer at the University of Zululand (Unizulu), a new council was officially constituted on Tuesday.
This marked the end of de Beer’s two-year term of office at the embattled university.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande appointed De Beer as Unizulu Administrator following alleged irregularities in areas of management, governance, procurement, admission and registration of students among others.
De Beer’s mandate included conducting a forensic audit into the affairs of the university. Findings from the audit resulted in the implication of some ex-members of Council, 31 members of staff, two students and a substantial number of former students involved in theft, fraud and corruption.
Addressing Council members, staff and students at Unizulu on Tuesday, Dr Nzimande said the improvements brought about by Professor de Beer and his team had ‘provided a good platform for the university to rebuild its institutional pride and academic stature’.
‘Workers must put shoulder to the wheel and ensure that this university stands the test of time. Let us not be involved in strike action for the sake of it,’ said Nzimande.
‘Let us understand that this institution is faced with many challenges. There is excessive absenteeism and low productivity and a general lack of appropriate work ethics, professional integrity and institutional buy-in,’ added Nzimande.
The Minister said budgets and financial models had been reworked. A Systems Renewal Plan and Strategy for the University IT system has been developed and approved at a cost of R45m over three years including attention to enrolment planning and procedures which according to de Beer had significantly improved.
‘As government we are committed to the future of this university. To date, the department has allocated a total of R609 978 million towards infrastructure development at Unizulu,’ added Nzimande.
Ensuring effective leadership and management, an additional post for a second Deputy Vice-Chancellor was created. In addition, three of the four Deans of the respective faculties were appointed.
