Appointment of Professor Peter Mbati to the position of Vice-Chancellor at SMU

by Kegorapetse | May 10, 2020 | Accolades and Achievements

It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of the new VICE-CHANCELLOR onto the staff of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).

After a rigorous and thorough process, the Council has appointed Professor Peter Mbati to the position of Vice-Chancellor at SMU, and he will commence employment with effect from 1 June 2020.

Professor Mbati holds the following qualifications, amongst others: Bachelor of Education Honours (Botany and Zoology); Master of Science (Parasitology) and Doctor of Philosophy (Parasitology).
He has a wealth of experience in academic leadership, having held various senior positions such as Campus Principal at the University of the Free State, Group Executive at the Agricultural Research Council and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Venda. He is currently the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Academics and Quality at the Botho University, Botswana.

SMU is fortunate to have attracted the services of the calibre of Professor Mbati, who comes with the requisite strategic leadership and management experience in, and sound knowledge of, the Higher Education Sector, having already previously served two terms as a Vice-Chancellor.

Council looks forward to working closely with Professor Mbati in leading the overall development and growth of SMU, and unlocking value for the University.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf for acting in the position of Vice-Chancellor and steering the University through challenging times, including this unprecedented phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have no doubt that he and the rest of the Executive Team will support the Vice-Chancellor in fulfilling his role.

Please join me in welcoming Professor Mbati to Team SMU!

Announcements-on-appointment-VC-SMU

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University awarded qualifications to graduands and diplomates virtually over a period of three days.

by Kegorapetse | May 10, 2020 | Accolades and Achievements

Media Statement
10 May 2020
For Immediate Release

South Africa and the world are battling COVID-19 which is threatening to fundamentally change our lives and the future of humanity. The national disaster declared by the President of the Republic, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa and lockdown regulations released by government are meant to curb infections and flatten the curve. These interventions were necessary to save our individual and collective health in the face of a pandemic caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

After considering the attendant implications of COVID-19 on the university business as a whole including the academic activities, the Executive Committee of Senate (acting on behalf of Senate) took a decision that the University should proceed with the conferment and awarding of Degrees and Diplomas to graduands and diplomates who have fulfilled the requirements of their specific qualifications on 11-13 May 2020, at the virtual graduation ceremonies.

SMU Chancellor Designate Dr Zweli Mkhize who is also minister of health will confer the qualifications to all candidates who qualified online.

“We wish to congratulate all those who will be awarded their qualifications. The university will at a later stage hold normal graduations ceremonies once the situation in the country permits to afford our students and their families an opportunity to fully celebrate the achievements”, said Dr Eric Pule SMU spokesperson.

All qualifying candidates will graduate in absentia, and those who need their certificates on an urgent basis, will begin to receive copies of those from Friday, 22 May 2020. The original certificates will only be released or collected when the situation in the country and University has returned to normal.

The virtual graduations ceremonies will be held as follows:

11 May 2020 – School of Science and Technology
12 May 2020 – School of Health Care Sciences; and School of Pharmacy
13 May 2020 – School of Oral Health Sciences; and School of Medicine
Time: 10am

“I am glad that the Executive Committee of Senate has decided to release, liberate and free our graduates through these virtual graduation ceremonies. It was the right decision to make under the circumstances,” said SMU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof O Ayo-Yusuf.

To be part of the graduations proceedings, please visit our website on www.smu.ac.za and click on the 2020 SMU virtual graduations link to witness this historic events over a period of three days.

Issued by the Marketing & Communication
For more details, please contact Dr Eric Pule, email address eric.pule@smu.ac.za
Phone 012 521 4563 Cell: 0635035587
Website: www.smu.ac.za

Download: Media-Statement-SMU-virtual-graduations-ceremonies-10May2020

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University launches the ‘SMU COVID-19 Monitor’ Web APP for students and staff

by Kegorapetse | May 10, 2020 | Accolades and Achievements

Media Statement
10 May 2020
For Immediate Release

The South African government is currently under pressure to scale up screening and testing for Coronavirus infection in communities. Organizations and institutions of higher learning are actively working on ways to support government in conquering the spread of COVID-19. To this end, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has designed an innovative new Web APP which will contribute to containing the virus and to monitor COVID-19 related symptoms amongst staff and students.

This App will alleviate pressure on government and other health professionals to provide regular screening for the University community as they go about their work and study on campus. The COVID-19 monitor Web APP which can be accessed through any mobile device, is launched with the view of continued use at SMU both during and after the challenging period of the recent lockdown.

“Our staff and students on campus will be able to daily self-check on their health status by answering a series of questions about symptoms known to be associated with Coronavirus infection, including any possible recent exposures and testing. Based on the responses provided, together with exposure history weighted higher than others, the APP then provides a risk score with relevant recommendations and next steps”, says SMU spokesperson Dr Eric Pule. These risk scores are colour-coded and, indicates either to contact a medical provider and/or call the National Department of Health’s Hotline number that appears on the risk report dashboard. This information would also be immediately available to a restricted number of pre-approved health professionals including the campus health doctor who are part of the SMU COVID-19 response team. The health provider can then advise on the need to either test and/or quarantine or self-isolate. This also allows those who may possibly have reported exposure to a COVID-19 positive patient or who themselves have tested positive while at home or on campus to self-report. The SMU response team would therefore be able to act swiftly with regards to referral for quarantine and/or isolation, as well as contact tracing in collaboration with the District Health Response team.

The Web APP developed by Prof Ayo-Yusuf at no cost to the University, will be used only as a screening tool and it is not intended to replace a consultation with a medical professional. The APP further provides a link to the National Department of Health Coronavirus website (https://sacoronavirus.co.za/) for the latest information on available resources, press releases and toolkits to support staying healthy.

“We pride ourselves as being the first University to launch such a real time screening tool for staff and students before returning to campus in order to ensure collective safety. This has received the support of the Student Representative Council and organised Labour”, says SMU spokesperson Dr Eric Pule.

This is a web App available through the SMU website which is zero-rated (no cost) by all major mobile network providers, thus the data requirement to use the App is zero. Due to the lag time between infection and appearance of COVID-19 symptoms, the University’s Web APP Monitor permits staff and students to in real time report early symptoms, track and understand the trajectory of their symptoms through this self-screening process. Especially important as we move into the Flu season, the APP can be used regularly to ensure early warning when the user feels unwell or becomes aware of exposure to any known COVID-19 positive person. The SMU COVID-19 Monitor web APP will be accessible to all students, staff and joint appointees working at the Doctor George Mukhari Academic Hospital.

“The APP will support the plans by the Department of Higher Education Training, Science and Technology to save the academic year 2020, while also appropriately responding to the call to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it will contribute and support the recommended 360-degree screening/testing of students and staff returning to our campus”, emphasized Dr Pule.

The APP can be directly accessed as often as required via any mobile device using a link that would be sent to all students and staff by SMS and email.

Issued by the Marketing & Communication
For more details, please contact Dr Eric Pule, email address eric.pule@smu.ac.za
Phone 012 521 4563 Cell: 0635035587
Website: https://www.smu.ac.za

Download: Media-Statement-SMU-launches-Covid-19-App-for-staff-and-students_10May2020