2020 strategy

Where might the University be in the year 2020?

Many changes are taking place in tertiary education influenced by various external factors, such as government policy changes, changes in society's needs, developments in information and communication technology (ICT) and changing technology in industry. Professional practice in all areas is also being continually transformed.

Most people who understand long-term planning will appreciate that it is vitally important to plan for the future even though short-term considerations occupy one's immediate attention. A University 2020 strategy initiative needs to be launched not only for ICT but encompassing the whole University. This would be an appropriate instruction to give to the new University council when it is appointed.

The University 2020 project should be a consultation initiative. It should be about bringing out what the people want from their University in the future. It is important that all citizens feel they have a stake in University's future. Discussions involving all staff must take place.

Project 2020 should serve to promote the University's mainstream role, especially on research initiatives, and to elevate the international status of its academics. The University needs to take into account of the political, financial and demographic changes that the country faces so as to fully understand the University's own challenges and aspirations.

The whole purpose of a University 2020 project is for the University to take charge of its destiny, rather than leaving it in the hands of others. But one needs to do it in such a way that one obtains the support of all academic staff and society in general. This support is obtained by acting in a transparent manner all along and by consulting extensively, not by invoking one's prerogatives. It is fine for the authorities to use their privileges and prerogatives but this should only be done when all other routes have failed or is case of an emergency.

It is evident that the traditional walls of the University's ivory tower have already been demolished. The walls between its faculties and institutes are now also gradually breaking down. However, all University academic staff must find additional ways of working together as respected equals to determine and present to the government the University's needs, especially for financial support.

The previous council was appointed mainly to ratify and support the newly selected rector in his endeavours. What has happened over the past year or so? There have been a number of developments especially the successful establishment of the new faculty of ICT. There was also a temporary agreement between the University academic staff representatives and the government on conditions of work, and discussions on a new industrial relations agreement are now taking place.

New administrative staff have been recruited, resulting in a significant improvement in the University administration. New academic staff were appointed and others received their long due promotion.

What else needs to be done? The new council must now move forward. The University needs to develop further what was already achieved. It must consolidate its position within society while paving the way for the generations of graduates to come.

There is a need for a group to be formed, comprising experienced and young academic staff from across all areas, so that the authorities can consult it to look at the University's future in a broader way.

The University now needs to urgently focus, firstly on building awareness of the need for a 2020 strategy and secondly, building awareness about a number of key factors that will influence the University's evolvement during the period leading up to 2020.

The University needs not only to reposition its place in society but also to ensure that its contribution to the traditional professions, especially in health care, are executed in a way that enables all professions to achieve a fruitful and rewarding change. This should present a challenging and exciting time for the University.