FOCUS AREA 1: ENHANCING ACADEMICS AS TEACHERS (3-6 pages) (Including professional development, reward and recognition, workload, conditions of service and performance appraisal) 2.2 aspects of your institution’s Strategic Plan relate to this focus area? (Please be specific by quoting from the Strategic Plan). KPA Goal Objective Expected Outcome 1: Learning and Teaching (Read, Section 4.2.1. on Learning and Teaching Development Plan, including Strategic Initiatives, Measures/Indicators and Timeframes) 2: To promote teaching, active enquiry and critical thinking. 2.1. To promote a culture of learning and teaching that fosters the development of learning, analytical skills and critical thinking. 2.1.1. Improved OBE compliant culture of learning and teaching and self-directed learning 2.1.2. Improved throughput rates 3: To promote excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. 3.1: To promote a flexible curriculum design that allows for articulation. 3.1.1. Flexible curriculum 3.3: To promote the use of teaching methods that are responsive to the students’ diverse needs. 3.3.1: Improved methods of teaching students with diverse needs. 3.4. To develop methods that encourage the use of relevant technology in teaching. 3.4.1. Technology- mediated teaching and learning 2: Research Development(Read Section 4.2.2. on Research Development Plan, including Strategic Initiatives, Measures/Indicators and Timeframes) 4: To create an enabling environment that empowers and students to conduct research. 4.1. To promote academic commitment to scholarship and creativity. 4.1.1. Staff committed to scholarship and creativity. 3: Human Capital Management (Read Section 5.2 on Human Resources Development, including Strategic Initiatives, Measures / Indicators. Timeframe is ongoing) 8: To attract and retain high quality academic and support service staff 8.1. To develop and implement a comprehensive plan for human resource development 8.1.1. Attained equity targets 8.2. To develop and enhance administrative leadership in both academic and units. 8.2.1. Human resource development plan 8.2.2. Staff development 8.2.3. Improved performance 8.2.4. Enhanced staff professionalism and integrity 8.3. To sensitise to appreciate, respect and embrace diversity and change. 8.1.1. Improved administrative leadership in academic and
Many departments do not have Professors and/or Senior lecturers. They are served by one or two lecturers and part-time and/or contract lecturers, and this may compromise quality and results with low throughput and pass rates. Part-time and contract lecturers are not always available for consultations with undergraduate students, and they have limited ability in providing professional guidance to post-graduate students. Some departments remain reliant on retired academic staff members to function. 3. FOCUS AREA 2: ENHANCING STUDENT SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT. (Including career and curriculum advising, life and academic skills development, counselling, student performance monitoring and referral) 3.1 aspects of your institution’s Strategic Plan relate to this focus area? (Please quote from the strategic plan) KPA 1: Learning and Teaching. (Read, Section 4.2.1. on Learning and Teaching Development Plan, including Strategic Initiatives, Measures/Indicators and Timeframes) Goal 3: To promote excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Objective 3.2: To improve student access and success Expected outcomes: 3.2.1. Improved access; 3.2.2. Improved throughput and success rates. KPA 9: Student Experience (Read, Section 4.2.1. on Learning and Teaching Development Plan, including Strategic Initiatives, Measures/Indicators and Timeframes) Goal 9.1. To promote holistic student development and welfare Objective 9.1.1. To promote student academic development programmes Expected outcomes: 9.1.1.1. Student academic development programmes Expected outcomes: 9.1.1.2. Infrastructure for student personal development Objective 9.2 To promote student personal development and welfare Expected Outcome 9.2.1 Infrastructure for student personal development Expected Outcome 9.2.2 Student personal development Objective 9.5 To improve the quality of student services in line with Affordable best practice. Objective 9.2 To promote student personal development and welfare Expected Outcome 9.2.1 Infrastructure for student personal development Expected Outcome 9.2.2 Student personal development CHE Institutional Audit Recommendation 4 The HEQC recommends that Walter Sisulu University strengthens its reporting and monitoring mechanisms in all areas with special focus on student success, throughput and graduation rates and ensure that the appropriate divisions take responsibility for the implementation of policies and plans. CHE Institutional Audit Recommendation 22