The University of South Africa (Unisa) is holding a two-day strategic Lekgotla aimed at reflecting on the institution’s progress towards its strategic goals and charting a path forward for the current academic year and beyond.
This year’s Lekgotla, held in Benoni on the East Rand, will prioritize enrollment management, a key area for Unisa, said the university in a statement released on Monday, July 29.
“The Lekgotla is an annual event that allows Unisa leadership to address critical strategic issues impacting the university’s academic and support environments,” said Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
According to LenkaBula, the university played a significant role in achieving the National Development Plan (NDP) goal of 1.6 million enrollments and 70 PhDs per million by 2023.
Unisa boasts the highest proportion of enrollments and graduates in the country. It was, in fact, ranked number six by Times Higher Education’s (THE) University Impact Rankings 2024, a notable improvement from number 10 in 2020. Times Higher Education listed universities that excelled across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). The listed universities stood out in individual areas, said THE, and showed comprehensive excellence in contributing to global sustainable development.
“By excelling in various SDGs, UNISA showcased its commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth, and partnerships,” Times Higher Education said in its report released in October 2023.
It ranked Unisa at position six, in a tie with the Nelson Mandela University, and in the 601 to 800 bands globally.
The Vice-Chancellor says they aim to improve and be in the top five of the rankings in the next two years.
“Effective enrollment management directly impacts the quality of service we offer to our students, our primary stakeholders,” explained Professor LenkaBula. “Moreover, over 95% of our income is directly tied to enrollments, highlighting the vital importance of this priority.”
The Lekgotla will also delve into the 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) introduced by Professor LenkaBula.
These CNAs, if properly integrated, hold the potential to attract a larger pool of postgraduate students, a segment Unisa is keen on expanding.
Discussions will focus on how to effectively integrate these CNAs with the university’s Engaged Scholarship and Programme Qualification Mix (PQM).
The Lekgotla will address several key areas:
- Leadership and Management Strategic Focus
- Enrollment Management and Compliance
- Catalytic Niche Areas and Implementation
- Resourcing and Financing the University’s Academic and Scientific Agenda
- Organizational Futures.
Experienced strategy consultants Messrs Ian Paterson and Thabo Mogane are expected to facilitate the two-day discussions. Additionally, entrepreneur Dr. Kennedy Dakile is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on the topic “Opportunities and Missed Opportunities by Universities.”
Representatives from Unisa’s epistemic communities, including Organised Labour, the National Student Representative Council (NSRC), the Unisa Women’s Forum, and the Unisa Black Forum, will also participate in the Lekgotla, providing valuable perspectives from their respective constituencies.
The Unisa Lekgotla signifies the university’s commitment to continuous improvement and strategic planning, added the statement. It brought together all Top Management, Extended Management, Lower Management-Support and Academic, Unions, SRC, Convocation, and Institutional Forum heads.
The outcomes of this two-day event will serve as a roadmap for Unisa’s future development, ensuring it remains a leader in South African higher education.
