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Mangosuthu University of Technology Annual Report

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A Social Cohesion workshop was held from 29th to 30th

August 2015 in preparation for the SRC elections.

A farewell function was held on the 17th August 2015 at

Coastlands to acknowledge the contribution and support

of the current SRC in the governance and administration

of the university.

IMPROVING SUCCESS RATES

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that the University

has a number of initiatives to assist students improve

academic performance, even in the Student Residences.

These included the ‘Masifunde’ campaign where the SRC

plays a major role in encouraging a learning culture on

campus.

Student Leadership and Cultural Immersion visit to Tanzania

– A delegation, led by the Dean of Students visited Tanzania

from 26th September 2015 to 6th October 2015.

3.12 Statement on IT Governance

The MUT Information Technology and Networks (ITN)

directorate reviewed IT governance structures and

processes and prepared the following recommendations

and submissions for consideration and implementation:

GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

The ITN directorate identified COBIT5 and ITIL V3

frameworks as suitable governance frameworks for

adoption and phased implementation at MUT. The

implementation of Control Objectives for Information and

Related Technology (COBIT) framework for information

technology (IT) management and IT governance will enable

council and management to bridge the gap between

control requirements, technical issues and business risks.

The ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)

framework will provide best practices and align IT actions

and expenses to business needs and change them as the

business grows or shifts direction.

DIRECTORATE STRUCTURE

The ITN directorate proposed a new structure to address

deficiencies of old structure and to create new capabilities

as recommended by COBIT and ITIL governance

frameworks. The proposed structure was submitted for

consideration by the relevant HR Committee.

REPRESENTATION AT HIGHER LEVEL

The DVC resource and planning tasked the ITN directorate

to consult and benchmark with other universities on

possibleandappropriate ITgovernanceandrepresentation

within council or suitable sub-committee. The process was

started late in 2016 and initial input has been obtained. A

recommendation is planned for completion and council

consideration mid-2016.

MONITORING OF IT ASSETS

The ITN directorate implemented a new platforms and

processes for the purpose of monitoring IT assets. The

platform has been successfully commissioned to monitor

and manage IT contracts, services and assets.

SIGNIFICANT IT INVESTMENT

The ITN directorate proposed that in order to address

financial resources constraints and effective IT asset

lifecycle management, MUT must start leasing of

appropriate IT equipment (such as PCs and laptops)

instead of outright purchase thereof. This recommendation

obtained approval from relevant council committee.

IT RELATED POLICIES

The ITN directorate reviewed current policies and

submitted to the relevant structure a recommended

list of IT policies for council approval and thereafter

implementation in 2016 onwards.

COMPUTER COMMITTEE

The computer committee met 4 out of 4 times to deliberate

on ITN matters and submit reports to the Senate.

This report is signed by: