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5.1.3. Matters of Significance Considered by Council during 2020
In view of the Council’s responsibility to govern the University and to provide ongoing strategic direction of the University, Council considered various matters during the year and received regular reports from the executive officers on the day-to-day stewarding of the University. • The 2020 to 2025 Enrolment Plan: The University continues to increase its postgraduate intake, as well as part-time and distance enrolments. • The 2021 Salary Agreement • Renaming of Wits Places and Spaces: Council approved renaming of four spaces • Property and Infrastructure Development: Council noted the approval by the Executive Committee of Council of the framework agreement for major construction works within the Wits Precinct. Council approved the purchase of Noswall Hall, noted plans for the upgrades to entrances and crossings on Jorissen Street and Jan Smuts, and expect major developments regarding the Frankenwald property in 2022. • Wits Sustainability Strategy: Council noted the correlation between the 2021 Council objectives and the 2021 Institutional Scorecard and will be incorporated into the 2021 Annual Performance Plan. • Appointments of Senior Executives: Council approved
the appointment of Professor Zeblon Vilakazi as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand. Professor Ruksana Osman was moved from the portfolio of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic for Advancement, Human Resources and Transformation (AHRT) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. The interim reorganisation of the Senior Management Team (SET) was as a result of the resignation of Professor Andrew Crouch. Professor Shabir Mahdi was appointed as the new Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences from 1 January 2021. Professor Joao Rodriques was appointed the acting Deputy ViceChancellor, Research and Postgraduate Affairs as of 20 July 2020 to 31 December 2020. Council approved the appointment of Professor Lynn Morris as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Postgraduate Affairs with effect from 1 April 2021. • New Learning Management System: Council approved of the conclusion of an appropriate contract for the purchase of a new learning management system. The system has been named ‘ulwazi’ (isiZulu for ‘knowledge’), and supports Wits’ move towards blended learning as outlined in the University’s Learning and Teaching Plan (2020 – 2024). • Honorary Degrees and Gold Medals: Council approved
