Where Learners Lead or where Leaders Learn?
This time tomorrow, this time next year, this time in 2020
Yintoni eza kwenziwa?
Members of the University have indicated in various forums and in various ways that there is a need for spaces for conversations about the
transformation of Rhodes University to be created. They have indicated that the conversations that have to be held in these spaces in 2015
have to be substantially different in purpose and outcomes from the transformation conversations that have been held in the past. They
have indicated that conversations should be used as a basis for concrete change rather than be seen as an end in themselves. They have
indicated that the time has come for the institution to move from creating spaces for the discussion of transformation issues to the creation
of spaces where transformation strategies, with time frames, are presented for discussion.
Responding to this call, the Office of Equity and Institutional Culture will convene four open conversations1 in which all members of the
university are invited to participate to discuss how the institution will transform between now and next year and between now and 2020.
It is envisaged that the foregrounding of time frames will not only focus the conversations on what needs to be done in order for irreversible
change to be achieved in this period, but it will also highlight the need for increased transparency and accountability.2 The conversations
will be informed by the values enshrined in the South African Constitution. They will take place on the dates given in the programme
below in the BLT lecture venue at the Education Faculty at 12:30-14:30.
1
These open conversations will be convened in addition to the transformation workshops that are best held at individual department level.
Findings of the 2014 Institutional Culture survey indicate that the pace of transformation is seen as linked to a leadership that is largely experienced as untransparent and
unaccountable
2
Conversation topic
Introductory think
pieces
The question of Leadership. 1. The VC
Where learners lead or
leaders learn? How can
governance and management
structures
be
better
capacitated to increase the
pace of transformation?
How will the institution be 1. The Acting DVC
made a home for all students?
Academic
and
Curriculum, material culture,
Student Affairs
accommodation and beyond. 2. The SRC 2015
Chairperson
Mr Lindokuhle Zungu.
(Outgoing SRC Secretary
General)
Key participants
Date
The Registrar, Acting DVC Academic 21st October 2015
and Student Affairs, DVC Research,
The
Executive
Director
of
Infrastructure and Operations, Deans,
HoDs, NEHAWU, NTEU, the SRC
2015 and 2016 and the Directors.
Dr Joy Owen, Deputy Dean The Registrar, Deans, HoDs, DVC 22nd October 2015
Academic Humanities Faculty Research, the Director of Student
Affairs, The Director of Human
Resources, The Executive Director of
Infrastructure and Operations, and the
SRC 2015 and 2016
How will the university be 1. The VC
Ms Ntuthu Faku (CCS
The Registrar, Acting DVC Academic 3rd March 2016
made a University of the
Supervisor)
and Student Affairs, DVC Research,
town in which it is?
Deans, HoDs, Director of Student
Affairs, Director of Community
Engagement, Executive Director of
Infrastructure
and
Operations,
NEHAWU, NTEU and the SRC.
How will levels of alienation 1. The
Director: Ms Ujala Satgoor (Director
Deans, HoDs, the Acting DVC 21st March 2016
experienced by categories of
Human
Library Services)
Academic and Student Affairs, DVC
staff
be
reduced?
Resources
Research, Director: Human Resources,
Recruitment,
retention, 2. The
E&IC
All Directors, NEHAWU, NTEU,
development
and
Culture Director
Executive Director of Infrastructure and
institutional culture matters. 3. NEHAWU
Operations, and the SRC.
4. NTEU