Revised 2020 Academic Calendar from 29 July 2020
The memo serves to inform the University community of the decisions of the Executive Committee of Senate meeting held on 29 July 2020 on matters related to the reorganization of the 2020 academic calendar. It should be noted that the calendar provides a broad framework for Schools to work within. For this reason, some Schools or even some academic programmes might finish the academic year earlier than the latest date indicated in the calendar.
More details can be accessed by following the download below:
SMU breaks into top 200 universities in Africa
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) made history when it broke into the uniRank’s top 200 popular and recognized higher‐education institutions in Africa. Since its inception in 2014, SMU is ranked for the first time at position number 184 out of about 1300 higher education institutions in Africa, 23rd in South Africa and 6907 of 13,000 Universities and Colleges in the world.
UniRank selection criteria involves the commissioning, certification and/or accreditation by the appropriate higher education‐related organization in each country, offering at least four‐year undergraduate bachelor or postgraduate degrees (masters or doctoral), delivering courses mainly in a traditional face‐to‐face platforms. The independent web intelligence sources provide uniRank with valid, and unbiased web metrics, rather than using data submitted by the respective Universities themselves.
While we value our entry into the world of university rankings in just five years of our existence, our focus remains on pursuing academic excellence and making significant impact in the lives of ordinary people in South Africa and in the region.
Universities agree further measures to tackle grade inflation
Universities from across the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed new principles to tackle grade inflation, reconfirming the sector’s strong collective commitment to protect the value of qualifications.
This fresh commitment, published today by Universities UK and GuildHE [Tuesday 21 July 2020] on behalf of the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA), outlines six new guiding principles as well as recommendations for universities when deciding the final degree classifications awarded to students.
These principles will be added to the UKSCQA statement of intent, which outlines specific commitments universities have made to ensure transparency, fairness and reliability in the way they award degrees.
More details, please follow this link: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/news/Pages/Universities-agree-further-measures-to-tackle-grade-inflation-.aspx
SMU receives much needed donation from Sanlam in the form of Personal Protective Equipment
In accepting the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)s from SANLAM, Prof Peter Mbati, SMU’s Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the donation would go a long way to minimise the risks of student exposure to COVID 19 during their clinical commitments.
“The COVID 19 pandemic has brought to the institutions of higher learning very unique challenges. It has forced us to rethink the way we do many things. It has had an impact on how we use resources. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)s have become a major challenge to SMU.” said Prof Mbati.
SMU trains health professionals who are in many ways working in the frontline of the war against COVID 19. No effort should be spared to make sure that these students are protected so that they complete their training. The donation will go a long way to ensure that they graduate and proceed to heal the sick in the health care industry.
Prof Mbati expressed his gratitude that the PPE’s were handed over at the time when students communicated their concern that the university should have done better to provide more PPE’s to protect the students against exposure to COVID 19.
“The fact that SANLAM has risen to the challenge to support SMU with PPE’s, is something we are very grateful about” said Prof Peter Mbati.
Mr Tendani Matshisevhe, Head, Group market Development, in handing over the donation, pointed out that the donation signals the level of confidence SANLAM has in the future health professionals that the university is producing. South Africa’s economy needs healthy people. The students must graduate in good health for them to go on to create their own private practices. SANLAM will thrive if the economy is doing well.
“Medical students are in the frontline against COVID 19 and they need our assistance. Our involvement is that we are looking at the relationship with the future in mind. These students are the future that we must look after. SMU is very important to us and we will keep on supporting it as a good partnership means being together in good, and in bad times”, said Matshisevhe.
SANLAM donated the following PPE’s:
- 2000 N95 face masks
- 1000 protective gowns
- 300 face screens
- 300 Aprons
The total value of all these PPE’s is R80 000.
Prof Mbati also expressed the wish to see SANLAM contributing much more than the donation of the PPE’s. Matshisevhe also articulated his wish to take the relationship to a higher level.
By Maditsi Matlala