The Future of "UNISA" Looking Up

Here's an excerpt from the latest statement regarding the impending merger of UNISA with TSA and Vista's distance learning division. As many of you are aware, the name of this newly-created institution has been the subject of considerable debate.

"In order to address the impasse regarding the name of the new institution, the Chairpersons and Vice Chancellors met with the Minister of Education who agreed to allow an extension of time until 31 August so that the institutions may seek an amicable resolution to the question of the name. Meanwhile the institutions agreed a process as to the manner in which this dispute will be resolved. It was agreed that an independent expert be hired to investigate and advise on the most appropriate name for the new institution. Mr Chris Elfick of Learning Strategies was commissioned to undertake the investigation. A draft report is now available which will be discussed by the Vice Chancellors this afternoon. Although the final decision is yet to be made by the Forum of Executive Committees of Council, I am prepared to report that the Elfick Report states:
The overwhelming majority of respondents (Unisa 83%, TSA 84% and Vista 51%) felt that “University of South Africa” was the most appropriate name for the new institution. A relatively small proportion of respondents on Unisa and TSA campuses preferred “Open University of South Africa, while it appeared that the Vista respondents were more accepting of both options.

The report goes on to recommend that
Based on the analysis of the submissions, and the findings from the interviews and random survey, this investigation recommends that the name for the new institution be the “University of South Africa”. More importantly, the report recommends that the UNISA brand be retained as the brand identity of the new institution, enabling the power of this existing brand to be leveraged for the success of the new institution."

(from Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof N Barney Pityana's report to the University senate last week).

 

To me this would seem to be good news. Good luck to all the merged institutions.
Jack

 

The ol' nomenclature kook applauds the successful reinvention of the wheel.

 

A TSA student says thanks for the good news

As Technikon SA student in the US, the "University of South Africa" is my preference.

 

This is definitely good news.

 

UNISA TO RETAIN IT'S NAME!!

This was posted on the UNISA Students Online messageboard.


"Date: 09-29-03 21:52

I just attended lectures at Unisa in Cape Town today. The Prof. who came to visit us is very involved in the whole merger process and he confirmed that they've just recently decided to retain the name UNISA. Apparently TSA and Vista are quite happy to be associated with the UNISA name and status."

Gypsy

 

Formal Notification to UNISA Studens of Merger and Incorporation

Along with my examination results, I received the following letter today:


Dear Student

Formal Notification to UNISA Students of Merger and Incorporation

On 20 October 2003, the Minister of Education informed the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr Anna Mokgokong, in a letter that the merger of Technikon South Africa and the University of South Africa will take place on 1 January 2004, followed by the incorporation of the Vista University Distance Education Centre (Vudec) on 2 January 2004. The letter has in the meantime been confirmed by a merger notice in the Government Gazette of 14 November 2003, and an incorporation notice on 19 November 2003.

The name of the new single dedicated distance education institution will be 'University of South Africa'.

The Councils and Executive Managements of the three institutions have committed themselves through a Memorandum of Agreement and a Joint Declaration to working together to achieve both a successful merger and incorporation as well as to build a powerful institution with unparalleled reach an capability.

As a single merged distance education institution, encompassing different higher education philosophies which serve the development needs of our country and continent, the new comprehensive institution will provide the following to its staff and learners:

- a unique general academic and career oriented program mix;
- affordable, comprehensive and quality learning opportunities in terms of open learning principles;
- an accessible, equitable and flexible learning system by undertaking synergistic programs with the use of appropriate technology in teaching, research and learner support community service;
- facilitate relevant entrance and exit arrangements;
- develop effective basic and applied research capacity to enhance a relevant research agenda;
- employ best practises in administrative and support systems to realise economies of scale and the effective use of resources;
- foster a culture of life-long learning in higher education;
- develop innovative and creative relationships with civil society, private and public sectors to meet the expectations of learners and employers, and the future needs of a global and competitive society;
- focus on preparing citizens ready to accept their responsibility in society to effect articulation and portability.

How this Affects You

The Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, makes provision for all contracts to be transferred to the new institution, effective from the date of the merger. This equally applies directly to all students of the existing institutions and will result in the transfer of the student-institution relationship to the new institution. In effect this implies:

1. Academic programs

- All students of Technikon South Africa and the University of South Africa, will with effect from 1 January 2004 be deemed to be students of the new institution which will operate under the name of 'University of South Africa' (UNISA).
-All students, new and returning, will be registered in the name of the new institution.
-The study programmes of students currently busy with their studies at any of the individual institutions will not be disrupted. You will continue to follow the study programmes for which you were registered in terms of the existing rules until such time as the programmes and or rules are ammended by the new institution.

2. Graduations

The new institution will award a degree, diploma or certificate to a student who qualifies before or after the date of the merger in its own name, but such degree diploma or certificate will also reflect the name of the institution at which the student was registered, immediately before the date of the merger/incorporation, if the student was so registered.

3 Student fee and registrations

The fee structures for 2004 for courses transferring to the new institution will be maintained as they were at the previous institution with the respective increases or fee adjustments as was expected to have taken place at the individual institutions. Students of UNISA and Technikon South Africa will be asked to continue their interaction with the new institution on the same basis as previously in terms of both registration and payment of fees in the coming year. Students at Vudec will be asked to register at the registration venues of UNISA and will be provided with registration and payment details accordingly. A separate notification to you will provide full details in this regard.

Looking Forward to a Powerful New Institution

The Vice-Chancellors of the three institutions and the Executives of the Council are convinced that this merger will produce a single institution of unparalleled capability, quality and academic strength. We urge you to commit to the success of this merger process and to share our belief in the benefits that this process can bring to all of us.

Yours sincerely

//S//

PROFESSOR NB PITYANA
PRINCIPAL AND VICE-CHANCELLOR