As part of its oversight responsibility, on 04 May 2022, SMU Council members visited research facilities on campus and also acquainted themselves with progress made on various major infrastructure projects. Leading the Council delegation was the Deputy Chair of Council Ms. Mmanare Mamabolo. She emphasized the importance of working collaboratively in the journey of taking SMU to its intended status of a leading health sciences university with a focus on its academic and research core business. Ms. Mamabolo reflected that in the midst of various challenges, SMU had made significant progress in improving the learning and living environment of its students and staff. Whilst she acknowledged that SMU had ambitious infrastructure development and maintenance projects, “we will have to eat this elephant one piece at a time”. Members of Council expressed their support for the work done by the Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati and his team.

Among the facilities visited by Council members included the Mecru Clinical Research Unit where a range of human clinical trials are conducted; the new state of the art high resolution Electron Microscopy Unit; Student Residences; the construction site for the 2,000 bed student residences; the upgraded and tarred university ring road; the boundary wall with both clear view fence and concrete walls; the refurbished swimming pool; the New Entrepreneurial Incubation Centre; the Pharmacy Labs; ICT’s data centre which is part of the multi million rand ICT forklift project; student pavilion and, finally the refurbished staff cafeteria.

The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged and expressed appreciation to members of the University Council for the support that they have continued to give management which has been the main driver on the stability currently experienced on campus and the ability of management to focus on the execution of its core responsibilities.

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