CLOSING REMARKS BY MINISTER BE NZIMANDE AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION SUMMIT HELD AT THE INKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI ICC, DURBAN ON 17 OCTOBER 2015
The Programme Director, DG, Mr. Gwebinkundla Qonde,
The Chair of the Portfolio Committee, Mam Phosa and Members of the Committee
The Chair of Select Committee, and Select Committee members,
Universities Chairs and Vice Chancellors present,
A special thank you once again to Prof Bawa and his team for working with my department to pull together this Summit and bring it a successful conclusion
SETAs present
College representatives
CEOs and Chairs of Quality Councils
National and Provincial Alliance leadership
Our Education Alliance stakeholders
All student formations present
My Special Advisors
Media representatives present
Good afternoon.
Let me begin by thanking all the delegates to the 2nd Higher Education Summit on Transformation that we are concluding today, for availing yourselves for a very intensive three days of dialogue on university transformation.
This is evident from the quality of the Commission Reports that have been presented at the final plenary session this morning. For this I also thank you.
As we’re all aware, the intention of this 2nd Higher Education Summit was not just to provide feedback on the advances made since the 1st Summit, but also on the challenges that have not been met – including the reasons thereof.
I requested you to seriously and very deliberately evaluate where we stand as higher education stakeholders, ponder our current challenges, and most importantly, honestly engage in discussing the steps that we need to take to address the serious challenges that we face as a very important sector in the development of our country’s economy.
The past three days have clearly demonstrated the areas of unity, the lines of division and even what can be described as deep hostility and anger that currently characterise our university space. As I have consistently stated, each and every contestation that takes place in any environment, and in this particular instance at universities, should always take into account respect of human dignity.
What has also come out strongly is the deeply felt sentiment that not enough is being done to address the causes of such divisions and hostilities, especially from our student constituency. One cannot escape the observation of the polarization at our institutions of higher learning. There is a lot of finger pointing going on which needs urgent attention. We thus call on students to make suggestions as to what kind of channels they feel could be put in place in order to address their grievances.
I must also express my deep appreciation of the general attitude of academic and university governance structures who, throughout the proceedings, showed their readiness to patiently listen to disparate views and were open to express their own points of view, and at times even come out in support of the students.
For me this is a clear sign that despite the general public view that the higher education system is ‘going to the dogs’, there is hope – in actual fact a great deal of optimism exists – for the future of higher education in South Africa. For this I am very grateful.
Universities are key to developing a nation. They play three main functions in society:
- they educate and train people with high-level skills for the employment needs of the public and private sectors;
- universities are the dominant producers of new knowledge, and they critique information and find new local and global applications for existing knowledge. South Africa needs knowledge that equips people for a changing society and economy; and
- given the country’s apartheid history, higher education provides opportunities for social mobility. It can strengthen equity, social justice and democracy. In today’s knowledge society, higher education is increasingly important for opening up people’s opportunities.
Therefore as a country we all need to take responsibility for the strengthening, ensuring sustainability and transforming universities to meet the needs of our country.
I will be failing as Minister if I do not comment on the recent unfolding developments at WITS.
Considering the current economic challenges and fiscal constraints facing the country, I urge all university councils and management to exercise greater caution and sensitivity in the process of determining fee increases in their institutions. It is imperative that they consult all relevant key stakeholders in order to minimise the detrimental impact on poor students. There must be greater cooperation, collaboration and cost management amongst universities instead of rampant competition amongst universities for scarce resources.
A meeting on 6 October 2015 between his Excellency President Jacob Zuma; myself and various Ministers and Deputy Ministers; and representatives from Universities South Africa and University Council Chairs Forum discussed key issues facing universities, including student financial aid, the politicisation of university campuses and transformation of higher education.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme and University Funding reviews come at a time when demands for access to higher education and further education and training outstrip the funds available for student financial aid. A draft amended Policy on the Funding of Public Universities has been developed and is being considered by the Department looking at different financial modelling scenarios.
While adequate funding of higher education is important, this in itself is not sufficient to ensure a well-functioning and quality higher education system. Resources that are available need to be utilised in the most effective and efficient manner.
Students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that there is no ensuing violence and destruction of property, which can only lead to further suffering and deprivation. The management of universities must open up legitimate channels for discussion and dialogue over matters concerning students with a view to resolving whatever issues arise. They must be more proactive and not allow matters to deteriorate to such an extent that students go on a rampage, often due to lack of understanding and knowledge of the situation and spurred by poor communication.
In my meeting with the Vice Chancellors we agreed to look at the cost drivers in relation to increase in university fees. We also need to look at appropriate spending of funding within the universities where we are seeing increasing management versus academic costs. It appears that we have started to corporatize our higher education institutions and have started to run our institutions like businesses.
In this regard, we also need also to find mechanisms of evaluating how universities spend their funds. We do have provisions of putting universities under administration; so the question – perhaps rhetorical – would be: why can’t we have a mechanism of monitoring university spending?
Judging from the tone of the engagements, one cannot come to any conclusion other than that the time for action, and not just words, is upon us.
In my opening remarks, you will recall that I spoke quite strongly about the things that hold back and hinder transformation at our universities.
I emphasised the role that universities and students have to play in bringing about true transform to our institutions of higher learning.
As we close this summit and go our different ways, let me take this opportunity to reiterate my stance that transformation is at the realm of the universities themselves. My role and that of the Department is that of facilitation of the means of carrying out the mandate of the universities.
I mentioned that legislation has been tabled in Parliament and will soon be published and input requested from all of you as stakeholders. I again invite you to contribute meaningfully to the proposed legislation so that the final product is one that can chart a clear way forward in transforming our universities excellence, and to be leaders in the process of being truly African institutions of higher learning.
Last but not least, I am very pleased that summit recognises the gains that have been made in achieving transformation goals in the sector, including its ramifications as listed in the Durban Statement.
I am also pleased that it specifically mentions that the deeper engagement about transformation goals that is now taking place is partly a result of these achievements, as we reflect on where we have been unsuccessful and what a new vision for the university system might be.
In view of the Durban Statement and its conclusions, it is my view that the summit was useful in creating a space that we didn’t have previously. We have agreed on these measures, as indicated in the 2nd Higher Education Summit Statement on Transformation priorities that must be addressed in the sector, and we now have to go out and implement them. Let’s remain engaged; this is not the end of all. The dialogue does not end here; I expect the dialogue to continue in other forums.
I thank you.
Issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training, 18 October 2015
