by Kegorapetse | May 25, 2017 | SMU Media
Master of ceremonies, your Excellency’s, the Ambassadors of various African Countries, or their representatives, our guest speaker, special guests, colleagues, students and visitors,
Welcome to the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for the celebration of Africa Day. It is indeed an honour and pleasure to receive you here today.
In modern times, Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May in accordance with a decision of the African Union. This decision of the African Union replaced a decision of the Organisation of African Unity, which determined the date for celebrations as 15 April.
But, ladies and gentlemen, of importance is not so much the date, but the fact that Africa Day presents an opportunity of all of us to reconnect and recommit ourselves in support of all interventions, whether from government, liberation movements or civil organisations, formal or informal, to develop a better Africa and a better world.
When we celebrate Africa day today, we declare openly and with conviction, and as a statement of pride, that we foster inclusivity and that we remain committed to continuous change and transformation for the better of our societies and our continent. The demands for change in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa, manifesting in so many ways and drawing attention to various issues and challenges faced by society, education institutions and governments, are firmly founded on the historical contexts and spirit of Africa Day.
It is about the process of decolonization of the African continent, the agitation for more political rights and independence, the liberation from foreign domination and exploitation, etc. It is also about coming together as the people of Africa, to encourage one another and to forge a common goal. It is about the reality that the national interest of the constituent parts of the African continent is intrinsically linked to the entire continent’s stability, unity and prosperity.
The continent benefitted greatly from the inspirational power of the individual and collective struggle against colonial rule.
The time has come, to draw from this powerful source of inspiration to confront the persisting effect and consequence of colonialism plaguing the continent and South Africa in particular. It is still deeply entrenched in the way things are done, postulating the contexts of what we should learn and how we should behave, dominating social and economic status, experience and aspiration, etc.
The spirit of Africa Day shall continue to inspire until all of us shall not only find our home in Africa, but most importantly, experience a total and overwhelming “feeling at home” in Africa.
Prof Chris de Beer
Interim Vice-Chancellor
25 May 2017
by Kegorapetse | Apr 3, 2017 | SMU Media
Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Bomo Edith Edna Molewa delivered her acceptance speech on Friday 17 March 2017, at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), in Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, during her installation as the first chancellor of SMU.
Speaking to a captive audience of cabinet colleagues, academics, students business and neighbouring community, Chancellor Molewa highlighted that the there is a fundamental link between education and economic development. She said what has been achieved at SMU, illustrates very clearly that resources have never been a barrier to excellence, or an excuse for mediocrity.
Chancellor Molewa called upon corporate South Africa to recognise that the skills being offered at SMU are critical to South Africa’s economy and therefore they must forge strategic relationships with the university, deepen relationships that exist, establish chairs of excellence, provide bursaries, internship and job opportunities to students. “There is no reason why SMU cannot leapfrog into a new era of sustainable campuses. However, the reality is that without necessary financial support we will be unable to align our priorities with taking our place as a world classinstitution of higher learning”. Chancellor emphasized. Chancellor Molewa envisions a future for SMU with green spaces, parks and open areas for students study to live and study in.
by Kegorapetse | Apr 3, 2017 | All News, SMU Media
REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS
Applications are invited from senior students (third year and above) or staff members of junior lecturer status who are academically strong and have shown exceptional qualities of leadership and service, with a good track record not only on campus but also in a wider social context and who are able to function as part of a select and highly skilled group. Applicants should be South African nationals with a valid passport and aged 25 or less at the start of the tour.
The travel bursary will be to the United Kingdom for the period 21st November to 16th December 2017. Applicants are required to submit the following documentation:
A personal letter of motivation as to why he/she is applying for the bursary
- A current CV
- Three letters of reference, none older than three years
- Copies of ID, matric certificate and university academic record
- Copies of school and university merit/achievement certificates (limited to five)
- Details of leadership roles in the community, at school and at university
The closing date for applications at the University is FRIDAY, 12th MAY 2017. All completed applications must be submitted to Mrs K Hermann, Financial Aid Office, S514 Fifth Floor, Clinpath Building X4622. No incomplete and late applications will be accepted.
Academic staff are requested to assist in identifying students who meet the requirements above and to bring this information to the attention of those students.
Download ABE BAILEY 2017
For further information, please contact Mrs K Hermann
Assistant Director: Financial Aid Office
Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, 0208
Telephone: 012 521 4622
Email: karen.herman@smu.ac.za
P O Box 69, MEDUNSA 0204
by Kegorapetse | Sep 9, 2016 | SMU Media
Master of ceremonies, Chairperson and members of the National Press Club, invited guests of the National Press Club, Chairperson of the University Council, members of the University Council, the CEO of the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Members of the Interim Management Team, Directors of the Schools and of Support Services, Members of the SMU SRC, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed a privilege to address you this evening.
Allow me, first of all, to thank the Management and Members of the NPC for affording the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), for the second time this year, the opportunity to occupy the space created by the Club for organisations and institutions to present itself to the media.
This occasion is indeed special as the Club will officially announce the Newsmaker of the Year: “The #FeesMustFall Campaign.” The SMU’s association with this event may, for some, come across as inappropriate and insensitive.
After all, this past week, the South African public was informed of the closure of a number of universities, and the torching of valuable university property, in some instances, wiping out irreplaceable research and historical material. All of this is happening, ostensibly, under the banner of the #FeesMustFall and other related campaigns. The damage done to university property is estimated to exceed the R750m mark. The intangible damage including the loss of academic opportunities, the negative impact the disruption of the academic activities of the respective universities will have on the already low success rate of students in the sector, the academic performance of students in general and the academic stature of institutions is priceless!
The full impact of all of this on the international academic stature and rankings of our institutions will only become clear over time. The first signs of our predicament already showed this week. Despite the fact that our leading South African Universities developed and resourced strategies to improve their international stature and impact, it was reported this week that a number of universities have lost their current positions on the 2016/17 QS World University Rankings. Wits, for instance, dropped 28 places, while UP moved into the 551-600 group. The ranking bodies not only use indicators based on hard data, but also take into account the outcomes of major global surveys. The danger is that the current developments in the university sector in South Africa may have a significant negative impact on the academic reputation of our universities and consequently on their international rankings.
It is also important to note that all of this is unfolding against the backdrop of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Fees at Higher Education and Training and joint efforts by the Department of Higher Education and Training, universities and the private sector to find solutions for the immediate challenges faced by poor students and the “missing middle”. Universities are made over decades and centuries. It requires not only responses to the short-term challenges, but must take a longer planning perspective to ensure the sustainability of society. Societies that thrive are those with a deeply embedded knowledge system, primarily driven by the university sector.
I am abhorred by the incidents of violence and destruction and disapprove strongly of the continued interruptions of academic programmes, especially during critical phases of the academic year.
It is our duty to engage students, and to burn the late night candle in our efforts to meet their legitimate demands, but it seems that the legitimacy of the course of students are seriously being undermined by elements wanting a commitment to the future success and quality of higher education, indulging themselves in criminal behaviour and short sighted pressure tactics. These aberrations from the rationale of the #FeesMustFall Campaign must be dealt with decisively, and more importantly, must not detract from the important contribution the Campaign has made to shape the agenda and priorities for the permanent and long term change of the higher education landscape. Universities are places of reason and we have a responsibility to induct our student body into this culture of academic discourse.
The SMU’s association with this occasion signals its approach of embracing the opportunities presented by the Campaign to secure a sustainable and well-functioning higher education system, offering quality education and producing relevant and high impact research, whilst meeting its obligation to provide in the human resource needs of the country in support of national strategic development goals. In my message to this meeting I alluded to some of the key success outcomes required in the above regard. These are:
- Find a solution to the legitimate expectation of public institutions to be funded realistically in accordance with their mandatory responsibilities and associated cost drivers;
- Develop a focussed programme of action to give effect, as a sector and institutionally, to the higher education transformation imperatives as articulated, inter alia, during the 2nd Higher Education
- Transformation Conference in Durban during 2015;\
- Remove the financial barriers inhibiting the access of deserving poor and middle class students to higher education and to bring noticeable relief to their already incurred debt burden; and
- Relief the plight of exploited workers employed by certain service providers of outsourced university functions.
Since the #FeesMustFall Campaign started, the tax payer and universities invested substantial amounts of money in an effort to address the immediate consequences of the 0% fee increase agreed for 2016 and to address, albeit on an interim bases, some of the root causes of the Campaign. I must emphasise though, that while we speak of 0% fee increase, the fact is that the State subsidised what would have been a normative increase across the sector, removing this burden from students for this year.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training earlier indicated the additional investment made by government to mitigate the effect of the 2016 0% fee increase on the system and to alleviate the plight of poor students. This additional investment entails a once-off additional earmarked state grant for universities of R300m for 2016/17 for the 0% fee increase introduced in 2016, an additional R2,5bn for the block grant for 2017/18 for the carry-through effect of the 0% fee increase introduced in 2016, additional amounts of R2bn for 2016/17 and R2,9bn for 20117/18 for the NSFAS, and an additional once-off amount of R2,5bn in 20116/17 for the NSFAS for historic debt relief of students.
But, approaching the 2017 academic year, the sector is faced with an even bigger challenge. University Vice-Chancellors indicated that an increase in income of 8%, in accordance with HEPI, would be required to ensure the continued sustainability of institutions and the quality of education. Certain student and associated forces, however, are canvassing for another 0% fee increase, and some even for the immediate implementation of a fee free dispensation.
Announcements will soon be made regarding an interim dispensation for 2017, whilst the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Commission into Higher Education Fees are eagerly awaited. I sincerely hope that the consultative process followed by the authorities and the collective wisdom mobilised to navigate the dynamic and difficult terrain of fee increases will provide the platform for rebuilding the trust in and stability of the university system.
Ladies and gentlemen, the SMU this evening again wishes to optimise the opportunity to establish important media networks and strengthening the SMU Brand. As indicated before, it has become exceedingly important to forcefully articulate the contexts defining the SMU as a newly established institution, and to influence opinions and perspectives about it.
Let it be known to all that the SMU refuses to be defined in terms of the status of other institutions, be they former or current. The SMU also vehemently opposes the notion to apply historical contexts, limitations and perceptions to describe its role, the quality of its enterprise, and the boundaries of its dreams and aspirations.
The SMU is not the former MEDUNSA, or the former MEDUNSA Campus of the University of Limpopo (UL). It must be clearly understood that the SMU, which was established on 16 May 2014, is one of three newly established universities in South Africa. It was established as a comprehensive health sciences university, and is the only university in South Africa with an exclusive focus on health sciences education.
The focus of the SMU implies that it carries a special responsibility towards the country, to produce highly qualified health personnel with competencies similar to those who have highly effective health care systems in the world. The special focus of the SMU also poses real challenges for the medium and long term sustainability of the institution, which compels the institution to optimise organisational effectiveness and efficiency, access to resources and the development of support and funding networks.
The aforementioned responsibility and challenge define the vision of the SMU to be the benchmark institution providing holistic health sciences education that meets the health needs of the individual, the family, the community and the population. The SMU’s mission is to deliver quality interdisciplinary health sciences research and education, an innovative and technology enriched educational approach resulting in evidence based methods for curriculum development and transformation, and the empowerment of students and staff to provide effective transformational leadership.
Establishing the SMU, ladies and gentlemen, was therefore clearly not the endorsement of any previous dispensation and/or a commitment to the continuation thereof. The SMU was established by the government as a new and post-apartheid university with a particular scope and mandate, embodying all the ideals of an inclusive, non-racial, non-sexist, transformed and democratic society.
The SMU Community and its support networks are therefore called upon to join forces with a view to articulating and embracing SMU’s own vision, mission, strategic objectives and priorities, and to respond with vigour, passion and loyalty to the mandate of the institution.
The public manifestation of the SMU’s distinctive positioning is, inter alia, highly dependent upon the media’s understanding of the character of SMU, and we thank you again in anticipation for assisting.
The SMU therefore shoulders its responsibility with pride and commitment, albeit sometimes against all odds. Despite the odds, we shall be inspired in this call, as we are entering unchartered territory, by the legacy of Sefako Makgatho, a courageous leader, well ahead of his time, who against all odds made a significant contribution towards achieving the freedom and human rights we are enjoying today.
Thank you.
Prof Chris de Beer
Interim Vice-Chancellor
9 September 2016
Download: SMU-National-Press-Club-Prof-De-Beer
