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Mangosuthu University of Technology Annual Report

21

CRITICAL POSITIONS IN THE OFFICE OF DVC:

RESEARCH, INNOVATION & ENGAGEMENTS

Council considered a request for the appointment

of critical positions in the Research, Innovation &

Engagement portfolio. Council noted that all positions

that had not been advertised had been frozen unless

special circumstances exist to fill them. Council had

decided on a procedure that would be followed in the

event there was a need to fill a frozen position.

Council further noted that with regard to the Research,

Innovation & Engagements portfolio that the organogram

had not been approved although there are permanent

positions in this portfolio. In the circumstances, Council

delegated EXCO to the extent necessary, to consider the

motivation by that department for the filling in of critical

positions that would assist that department to function

efficiently. If EXCO was satisfied with this submission, the

normal process that has to be followed with regards to

positions that are frozen would have to be followed.

LIMITED ORGANISATIONAL RIGHTS TO TENUSA

Council considered and approved the granting of limited

organizational rights to the Tertiary Education National

Union of South Africa (TENUSA) as follows:

• Section 12 – the right to access and

• Section 13 – the right to collect union dues

(subscriptions).

Report on the Position of the DVC: Research, Innovation

and Engagements (RIE)

Council considered and approved the appointment of

Prof Z.L. Dlamini as the DVC: Research, Innovation and

Engagements.

ACADEMIC PROMOTIONS

Council considered and approved the recommendations

for the promotion of two academic staff members.

STAFF MATTERS

Council noted with sadness the passing away of MUT’s

former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.M. Ndlovu. Prof Ndlazi

had been requested to represent Council at the memorial

service that took place at Bhekuzulu Hall, University of

Zululand in Empangeni on 28 November 2015. A moment

of silence was observed in honour of the late Prof. A.M.

Ndlovu.

The MUT Vice-Chancellor had been re-elected as

Chairperson of the South African Technology Network

(SATN) for the next two years.

VICE-CHANCELLOR’S CONTRACT

Council considered that the term of office of the Vice

Chancellor would end in August 2015. A meeting of

EXCO had recommended that the Vice-Chancellor be

re-appointed for another five year term, based on his

performance and his exceptional leadership skills. The

matter was further discussed in ‘In-Committee’ Council

meetings. The Council In-committee meeting resolved

that the Vice Chancellor’s contract must be finalized by

the end of December 2015.

STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

A staff member, Mr Pons, received a number of awards for

his innovative research work “Ceiling in a can”.

A report on academic staff members who had obtained

Masters and PhD through funding provided by the

University was noted.

3.11 Student Matters

One student participated in the Abe Bailey Travel Trust

Bursary in the UK.

MUT STUDENTS INVOLVED IN INFRASTRUCTURE

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Council noted the report that eighteen MUT students

were involved in infrastructure development projects

in the form of work integrated learning and vacation

work. One of them, Miss Nomonde Zondi was employed

by the Construction Company that was appointed by

MUT. She is responsible for construction of Block 2C of

the student residence. She was offered employment

by the Construction Company to be a site manager in

Pietermaritzburg, however she declined the offer as she

wanted to complete her project to manage the student

block.

PROPOSED

AMENDMENTS

TO

THE

SRC

CONSTITUTION

Council considered the proposed amendments to the SRC

Constitution which resulted from a concern that statistics

showed that once SRC members were in office, their

academic performance declined. Management believes

that once students are in office they should continue to

be active and succeeding students. After deliberation,

the matter of amendment of the SRC Constitution was

referred back to Management for further discussion and

development of a proper management report on the

proposed amended SRC constitution. If there are any

differences between Management and the SRC, these

must be highlighted in the report and Council needs to

make a decision.