Honourable Chairperson of the Council, ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me opportunity to thank the honourable Judge Mavundla for the kind introduction.
It would also be a remiss not to thank the Council of the University for appointing me in this position. This motion of confidence is much appreciated. I would like to assure the Council that I am fully committed to executing my statutory duty of managing and administering the University under the governing supervision and guidance of the Council and with due observance of my accountability and support responsibilities.
I would also like to thank you, the staff and the students, for attending this occasion.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am acutely aware of the fact that the authority associated with the office of the Vice-Chancellor will have no institutional impact, unless the incumbent has earned the trust and respect of the University community.
We all know that trust and respect within the higher education environment develop over time and are founded on a number of leadership imperatives, such as:
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to make a difference at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), and shall therefore, during my term of office, adhere to the leadership imperatives described above, while banking on your support, co-operation and understanding.
Our involvement in the SMU at this moment in time is to be part of history-making.
We have the singular privilege of being the first generation of the SMU community, and have, as such, an important role to play in determining, from the outset, what kind of institution the SMU will be. We are endowed with a unique legacy-making opportunity as we are called upon to emulate the founding achievements of Sefako Makgatho, who played a significant role in the founding of a number of teacher, labour and liberation movements.
The SMU has been 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. While grappling to finding its own identity and developing a unique institutional culture, the SMU also faces an exciting additional challenge.
The SMU was established both as a new university, as well as by incorporating the MEDUNSA Campus of the University of Limpopo. Despite certain challenges associated with the unbundling process, this incorporation must be embraced by the fledgling institution as it serves in terms of programme offering, operational capacity, infrastructure and experience as a firm and tested foundation on which the SMU can build its enterprises. This must be done with due recognition of the selfless contributions made by many staff, who despite adverse circumstances, remained committed to the educational mission of the MEDUNSA campus. Equally important, in my view, is the inspirational example set by students who excelled academically, in their service delivery and in life in general, competing with the best, despite the multiple disadvantages they had to conquer.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are called to move on and to respond with renewed vigour, passion and loyalty to the mandate of the SMU as a newly established institution.
Let's join forces with a view to articulating and embracing SMU's own vision, mission, strategic objectives and priorities. Let's support the quest for quality, not only with regard to the core functions and operations of the institution, but also the student and staff experience.
The task ahead is a challenging one. The SMU is called upon to:
The SMU faces this multi-dimensional challenge amidst serious public financial constraints, the lack of human resources and the total absence of or the seriously neglected state of existing infrastructure and equipment.
Ladies and gentlemen, now is not the time to suggest a final response to the challenges alluded to above.
To be able to make a contribution in this regard I need to learn and read more about the historical role and function of the constituent parts of the institution and the associated institutional dynamics.
Suffice it to indicate at this stage that our plan of action will be guided by a framework of strategic goals, objectives and performance indicators covering, inter alia:
However, whatever we aspire to achieve, must be built on broad consultative processes which will allow for contributions from a variety of internal and external stakeholders on their hopes and expectations for the institution.
Ladies and gentlemen, confronting the challenges substantively requires much more than just the clinical execution of my statutory mandate to manage and administer the University, or the successful solo flights of us as individuals.
I believe our success depends significantly on the institutional impact of our joint leadership efforts, founded upon:
This may necessitate us to refocus, realign and redirect our efforts.
We should be inspired to do so by the demonstrated commitment of government and the Council to establish and develop a university with the academic stature and infrastructure comparable, not only to the best in the country, but also to those beyond our borders.
Ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to working with you to chart the way for a successful future for the SMU.
Prof Chris de Beer (26 June 2015)
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 071 244 395
Account Name: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Branch Number: 020 909
Use your ID number as a Reference
NB: No cash should accompany the application form.
Post to: The Registrar
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
P.O. Box 60
Medunsa
0204
Or hand deliver to : Student Administration and Registration office
Clinical Pathology Building (Basement) at SMU
Office Hours : Monday - Friday: 7h30 - 16h00
Enquiries call: (012) 521 4979 / 4058 / 5886 / 4319 / 4137 / 4204
NB: No copies will be accepted.
NB: Kindly note that all SMU prospective students must write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for 2016 admission.
For more information about NBT visit: www.nbt.ac.za , or Email: nbt@uct.ac.za , or call: 021 650 3523.
SMU was established when the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande in terms of section 20 of the Higher Education Act 1997 (Act 101 of 1997) promulgated the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in the SA Government Gazette no: 37658 of 16 May 2014.
The promulgation followed the announcement made in 2011, by Minister Nzimande, when he announced his intention to separate the Medunsa Campus, from the University of Limpopo. The minister's intention was based on the findings and recommendations of the task team that was established and led by Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) and Dr Max Price, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Town (UCT).
SMU was established when the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande in terms of section 20 of the Higher Education Act 1997 (Act 101 of 1997) promulgated the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in the SA Government Gazette no: 37658 of 16 May 2014.
The promulgation followed the announcement made in 2011, by Minister Nzimande, when he announced his intention to separate the Medunsa Campus, from the University of Limpopo. The minister's intention was based on the findings and recommendations of the task team that was established and led by Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) and Dr Max Price, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Town (UCT).
The university opened its doors in January 2015 after the Mendunsa Campus was uncoupled from the University of Limpopo and incorporated into SMU
SMU is located at Ga-Rankuwa Township (next to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital).
GPS coordinates:
25.37.8 South, 28.1.22 East
SMU focuses on health and allied health sciences courses as part of government grand plan to expand access to education and training opportunities for the youth, by increasing the number of young people in education, employment and training.
Visit : www.smu.ac.za and go to prospective students.
The late Sefako Makgato whom the university is named after, is a highly acclaimed politician, journalist, educationist and theologian who struggle for South Africa that is legitimate, non-exploitative and democratic.