Significant progress in WSU turnaround

Eastern Cape development university, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) needs a massive R1,7 billion to bring the university up to the required standard
By: getnews, East London Industrial Development Zone
 
May 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Noting that WSU anticipates a break-even budget for 2012, Van Staden says that the university has already submitted a bid to the Department of Higher Education and Training for special infrastructure and efficiency funding.

The university this week graduates more than 4, 000 students in East London, Mthatha and Butterworth. At the first of eight graduation ceremonies for 2012, world renowned photographer, Peter Magubane, was also conferred with an honorary doctorate in journalism by chancellor Brigalia Bam.

A total of 590 students, the largest number of graduates in Buffalo City to date,  from the faculties of business, management sciences, and law graduated in East London. On Tuesday, a further 500 graduates from the science, engineering and technology and accounting programmes are to be capped.

Appointed by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to turnaround the university’s fortunes for a period of two years, Van Staden says WSU has already submitted the first quarterly report of the strategy to Minister Nzimande. As part of the strategy, the administrator has effectively taken over the authority of the Council of WSU, management of the university.

“The focus areas going forward are finance, information technology, human resources, the academic enterprise and change management. Lack of redress funding over decades has finally taken its toll and as recommended in the independent assesor’s report, unless there is a substantial cash injection, the turnaround of WSU is in jeopardy.

“Broadly, the areas included in the bid are student accommodation, upgrading of teaching venues, new buildings, upgrades and extensions, provision for people with disabilities and security among others,” says Van Staden.

Van Staden says there is so much to be proud of at WSU. He noted that WSU has the only medical school in the Eastern Cape. The WSU Faculty of Health Sciences is among the top eight medical faculties in the world for Problem-based Community Learning. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says “WSU has set a benchmark for universities across the world.”

“Last year, WSU also produced the first cohorts in South Africa of BSc Clinical Associates, a new breed of healthcare professionals to boost health services in rural areas.

“The financial situation has been stabilised in the short term and salaries and benefits commitments for 2012 will be met. Fruitless and wasteful expenditure is being closely monitored and operational cost-cutting exercises have been implemented,” Van Staden explains.

Van Staden notes that the substantial financial injection from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to address the significant financial backlogs and debts of students brought great relief to the heavily indebted students.
End
Source:getnews, East London Industrial Development Zone
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