Communiqué to the CUT Staff and Students: CUT's readiness to resume with the 2021 Academic Activities on Monday, 19 July 2021

CUT News Leadership
Communiqué to the CUT Staff and Students: CUT's readiness to resume with the 2021 Academic Activities on Monday, 19 July 2021

Dear CUT Staff and Students

I trust that you are well and safe amidst the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and other developments in our country.

Management, in collaboration with all stakeholders, including both our Students’ Representative Councils (SRCs), has work tirelessly during the recess period to resolve the challenges that our students are experiencing that led to student protests, and subsequently the earlier recess.

We are comfortable that most of the challenges have been addressed adequately to enhance our services to students and staff. Correspondence in this regard will be released as from today to students and staff. The Acting CFO, Mr Mili Nemutshili, will provide an update on NSFAS allowances, FUNDI, NSFAS appeals, funding for PGCE students, the acquisition of laptops, and measures to strengthen the financial team at the Welkom campus. The Director: ICT and Computer Services, and the CDO, Ms Busi Matube, will address data bundles to students and related matters. The Institutional Registrar, Dr Sally Dzingwa, and the DVC: Teaching and Learning, Prof. Phatha Ngidi, will address changes to the 2021 Academic Calendar, marks and assessments, etc. Finally, the Manager: SHE and Sustainability, Mr Moses Mareko, will address matters related to health and safety protocols amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, Management is committed to finding long-lasting solutions to the matters affecting our students and staff, including the recurring general and finance-related matters, in order to enhance institutional effectiveness and efficiency, and a stable and sustainable university for all, under the governance of the CUT Council. Therefore, it was decided to appoint the Student Matters Technical Team (SMTT) to conduct an in-depth study on the effectiveness of processes and systems, communication, capacity, standard operating procedures, and quality services to all stakeholders. This SMTT, chaired by Prof. Sepeng, Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor & Principal, consists of representatives from staff, Senate, SRCs, organised labour and the Alumni Association.

Furthermore, I have noted the student protests at both campuses prior to the recess period. Management strongly condemns such incidents, as protests must take place within our Code of Conduct, according to university policy, and in an amicable manner. We, as the CUT community, have proven since 2016 that we are committed to embrace sound student activism and constructive engagements with all stakeholders, and that we are serious about addressing challenges experienced by staff and students. Incidents where employees and students are victimised, and property damaged, will, however, not be tolerated. I have requested the Institutional Registrar to urgently institute processes to deal with these incidents.

In conclusion, Management has a responsibility to safeguard the academic year, ensure the safety of staff and students, and protect CUT property. We take this matter very seriously, and will continue to work together, in collaboration with the CUT Council and all stakeholders, to promote positive dialogue, and to ensure that the 2021 academic year continues smoothly.

Kind regards / Ditumediso tse mofuthu / Vriendelike groete

Prof. Henk de Jager
Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Download the VC Communique, 16 July 2021 (PDF)

Uploaded: 16 July 2021
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