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23 MAART 2017
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United NWU: Restructuring nearing completion Linzetta Calitz @LinzettaC
Restructuring is a word not many people receive with positivity. According to Louis Jacobs, Director: Corporate Communication of the North-West University (NWU), there is however no reason for students to fret. The restructuring process that is already in its final stage, forms part of the 2015 – 2025 board approved strategy. Restructuring started early last year and works towards a unitary model. As part of the restructuring process, the minister recently signed off on the statute of the university that outlines definitions of staff’s duties. Only when this statute is published in the state newspaper, can positions be modified
accordingly. Upon publication of the statute positions like campus rector can be finalised. According to Jacobs, personnel appointments made at this level are handled by the university board, so it’s yet to be seen. Jacobs said prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, current campus rector of the NWU Potchefstroomcampus (NWU-Puk), will not be able to apply for this position again as he has reached the official retiring age of 65. The reason he was appointed again (on a temporary basis) this year, was to help with a smooth transition in the restructuring process. The university can, however, decide to employ prof Fika in a different capacity, but not for a term-position. To illustrate the unitary model the university now strives for, Jacobs used the example of the eight faculties instead of 15. Each of the eight
Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, current campus rector will not be able to apply for this position again as he has reached the official retiring age of 65. faculties then have an executive dean who fathers all three campuses’ where their specific discipline is applicable. This ensures that each campus is aligned with the next. Jacobs said the new system doesn’t delay processes, but promotes unity.
One campus might run with an initiative that could work just as well on other campuses, but they run it in isolation – the new structure prevents this from happening. Students don’t have to pay much attention to the process, they aren’t really affected at all, they just continue as usual. Concerning the identity of the university, however, Jacobs said the intention was never to take away any identity within a specific campus. “In my eyes there exists a Potchefstroomcampus, a Vaaldriehoekcampus and a Mafikengcampus.” In other words, it has never been the idea to take away a determined student identity. The idea is to look at what works in one place, and implement it in another – with certain changes, naturally. The campuses are “not the same, it is never
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going to be the same,” said Jacobs. He doesn’t know where the misconception comes from, but assures “that no one wants to kill anything. We just want to build on what is already there.” Regarding the NWU brand, Jacobs said any changes would be well thought through and has to go through the university board before being implemented. He can’t for example say in 20 years it is still going to be the NWU-Puk, but a sure thing is that whatever choice is made, it will be through the right channels. He once again emphasises the fact that major changes to the NWU-Puk culture is not a reality. “It’s absurd. It’s not the idea at all. There is so much to learn from a place like the Potchefstroomcampus’ and their way of doing, especially among the students.”
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