by Lorato | Oct 22, 2021 | All News, SMU Media
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education Science and Innovation conducted an oversight visit at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University on 19 October 2021. In attendance were members of the SMU Council led by Ms Mmanare Mamabolo (Deputy Chairperson of Council), University Management led by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mbati, representatives of organised labour and members of the Student Representative Council. Other members of Council in attendance were Mr Thabiso Lekoana and Dr Mangaliso Mahlaba. The Portfolio Committee was led by its Chairperson, Honorable Nompendulo Mkhatshwa accompanied by Honorable Tebogo Letsie.
The Committee embarked on a tour of the Campus to inspect both infrastructure and research facilities, which included the construction site of the new 2,000 bed student residence, the new boundary wall, NHLS laboratories, Virology/ Microbiology laboratories and the new Entrepreneurship Incubation Centre. Following the Campus tour, the Vice-Chancellor made a presentation to the Committee on the University’s five year Strategic Plan, the progress made as well as prospects and challenges.
As part of securing the future of SMU, Prof Mbati explained to members of the Portfolio Committee that Council had approved a New Business Model to ensure the financial sustainability of the University. Key to this model is increasing the numbers of students to 13,500, exploring new options for student funding, commercialization initiatives and a strong third stream income strategy. Such initiatives are important, according to the Vice-Chancellor, given some of the challenges related to student funding, student debt, backlog maintenance, and the dire need for additional office space.
Mbati added that the University had made significant strides in creating a new institutional culture preceded by the signing of a Culture Compact by all stakeholders (management, labour and SRC) committing themselves separately and collectively to work for the good of the University. It was also emphasized that the roll out of the Performance Management System has been given sufficient attention for all employees to continuously contribute to a high performance culture. Professor Mbati emphasized the importance of every stakeholder playing their specified roles and not conflating them, in order for SMU to be successful.
Honorable Letsie emphasized the importance of stability on campus as an important recipe for success. He further cautioned that factionalism and lack of cohesion in the governance and management of institutions leads to dysfunctionality and ultimately universities being placed under administration. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee said it is their responsibility to ensure that the higher education sector delivers on its promises and mandate, and visits such as this provides them with an opportunity to get first-hand experience on how institutions are delivering on their mandates. The Committee was generally upbeat on the progress and developmental trajectory of SMU and promised to embark on future visits to check progress on the many exciting initiatives currently being undertaken at the University.
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Article: Portfolio Committee on Higher Education Science and Innovation Upbeat on Developments at SMU
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Created: 22-10-2021
Updated: 22-10-2021
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by Kegorapetse | Sep 2, 2021 | SMU Media
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)/Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) Vaccination Site.
Community members can now vaccinate at the SMU/DGMAH Vaccination Site | The fully operational site which opened officially on 25 August for staff and students now allows even members of the community to vaccinate. The site is open from 8am until 3pm from Monday to Friday.
by Kegorapetse | Aug 11, 2021 | SMU Media, Student Media
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) hosted a webinar to mark Pride Month under the theme: Promoting Equality Dignity and Rights of LGBTQI+ Community. Three speakers made notable inputs and covered different topics during the webinar.
SMU publications editor Phaladi Seakgwe spoke to one of the speakers, SMU student and gender activist Talente Biyela to reflect on the Pride Month.
Download: SMU Celebrates Pride Month in Style
by Kegorapetse | Aug 11, 2021 | SMU Media
Students at our off-campus residences embarked on protest action since Friday 25th June 2021 due to what was considered perennial challenges that had not been addressed over a period of time by the proprietors of these facilities. Among others, the students demands centred on reliable WiFi to ensure full participation in online teaching and learning, CCTV cameras, geysers/hot water, poor mattresses and lack of sufficient washing machines.
Dr. Irene Mohasoa, the ED: Student Affairs has for the past couple of days engaged with the off campus residence management teams in attempts to resolve these challenges. In this regard she received support from the SMU ICT team and the Office of the DVC Research and Post Graduate studies to assist in the diagnosis of the WiFi challenges, and also to provide additional data to our students.
Today the SRC Residence Officer together with student residence representatives from the Heights and Tshwane Varsity Lodge requested the Vice Chancellor to intervene so that there is speedy resolution to the impasse. Subsequently the Vice Chancellor together with the student leadership met with the CEO and Executive Management of the Heights and TVL for an intense meeting on the student demands. Thereafter the team addressed students at these residences in which firm commitment has been promised to address the demands the students, with immediate effect.
In view of the fact that our students have already lost a lot of time following previous protest action on campus, and now this current protest on off campus residences, and the firm commitment from the Management of the Heights and TVL to address the student demands, students have agreed to resume online teaching and learning as from tomorrow Thursday 1st July 2021 with the understanding that commitments will be fulfilled.
On the request from students, the Vice Chancellor has acceded that assessments and any assignments that were due this week be postponed to next week. This is to mitigate against any unforeseen WiFi challenges that are to be fully assessed by Friday.
Issued by the Marketing & Communication
RESUMPTION OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 30 June 2021
by Kegorapetse | Aug 11, 2021 | SMU Media
As a result of the recent suspension of academic activities, the Executive Committee of Senate has approved the following:
- The standard summative assessments in the School of Science & Technology (for both undergraduate and postgraduate students) scheduled to commence on Monday, 19 July 2021, be rescheduled to commence on Monday, 26 July 2021; and
- The standard summative assessments in the School of Health Care Sciences for undergraduate students only scheduled to commence on Monday, 19 July 2021, be rescheduled to commence on Monday, 26 July 2021. However, in the event that a School and the relevant Department decide to proceed with the assessments during the week of 19-21July 2023 for sound academic reasons, the School will communicate the final decision to the affected students at its earliest opportunity.
- The above decisions under (1.1 and 1.2) notwithstanding, all other assessments (of both formative and summative nature) in the other three Schools (Medicine, Pharmacy and Oral Health Sciences) for both undergraduate and postgraduate students will take place in line with the already published and agreed upon timetables, which have been communicated to students already by the respective Schools.
Follow the download below for more details:
Revised Academic Calendar for the Balance of 2021 Academic Year – 16 July 2021
