At a special meeting this week the SU Council voiced its support for the Institutional Plan 2014-2018 and its implementation. The Plan serves as the framework for the practical execution of the Institutional Intent and Strategy 2013-2018 (ITS) that was approved by the SU Council in April last year as the over-arching direction and positioning of SU over the next five years.
As part of the consultation process the Rector requested this meeting to get advice and input from Council for the Institutional Plan as the operational framework of the ITS. Overall, council members were quite impressed with the Plan, which includes measurable goals to deliver a SU that is inclusive, innovative and future-oriented in the future.
Faculty plans and the final set of strategic management directives have not yet been finalised, but deans have indicated thatthey could easily formulate strategic goals within the broader Institutional Plan. These plans will be finalised at the Rector's Academic Forum in July.
The Institutional Plan was described by the chairman Mr George Steyn as being not a policy document but rather a living document that has to be reviewed continuously and be adapted according to the demands of the day and the priorities of SU.
The Rector Prof Russel Botman thanked the SU Council for its valuable input and support of SU's operational plan to "maintain and improve on its academic and research excellence, to broaden access to SU and to expand its impact on society even further".
Prof Botman indicated that he will present a budget for the financing of the Plan as well as a request for financial support from Council for the implementation of key facets of the Plan at Council's next scheduled meeting.
