News 2023/03

PIGGS PEAK – Members of the University Council, the highest decision-making body at the University of Eswatini attended an Induction Workshop that was held at the Piggs Peak Hotel on 02-03 February 2023.    The workshop was officially opened by the Chairman of Council, Chief Mkhubi Dlamini.   The Chairman thanked the University Management for organising the Workshop and passed a special word of appreciation to SNG Grant Thornton who agreed to facilitate the workshop without charging the University. He showed appreciation to members of the University Council who had attended the workshop and noted that the gesture translated to commitment to the task.

“The Induction Workshop will give an opportunity to Council members to know the University better as we carry our oversight responsibility.  If we do not know how the University operates, it will be difficult for us to carry out our duties.  The workshop will guide us in our roles and responsibilities.”  The Chairman made an analogy that when a person lives in a house, he knows when it is due for renovations and if a crack appears on a wall, he does not ask anyone about the crack as he knows how it came about as he has been living it the house and also how to fix it.    Chief Mkhumbi also talked about the financial woes of the University and the need for the Council to monitor and give direction to the entities involved in generating revenue for the University.  The Chairman appreciated the University for undertaking to do a strategic plan which would incorporate the added mandate of making sure the University survives and overcomes the financial challenges facing the University.

Topics covered during the Induction Workshop included:

• The Higher Education Act – Mr Mboni Dlamini, Executive Secretary of Eswatini Qualification Authority
• Corporate Governance, Roles and Responsibilities of Council – Mr Vusi Nkabinde, SNG Grant Thornton
• Reporting and Compliance Issues – Director PEU, Ms B. Mkhaliphi
• Legislative Framework of the University and Code of Conduct for Council Members – Senior Legal Officer, Ms Gcinaphi Mndzebele
• Council Committees and their operations – Registrar, Dr S.S. Simelane
• University Units and Strategic Plan Overview – Prof J.M. Thwala, Vice Chancellor and Mr M.E. Dlamini, Bursar
• University Academic Programmes and Research Units – Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor T.H. Gadaga
• Conflict resolution Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration – CEO CMAC, Mrs L. Magagula
• Risk Management, Audit and ICT- Audit Committee Chairperson, Mr M. Mdluli
• University Strategic Plan – Dr B.W. Dlamini and Team

In officially closing the workshop on the second day, the Chairman of Council thanked the members of Council and facilitators for a time well spent.  “We are coming out more knowledgeable than when we came in.” He requested Council members to implement what they have learnt.  He also appreciated the Strategic Plan Team for the consultations they have made.  “Through consultations, we make everyone to share the same vision.”

Members of Council that were able to attend the session were:

Chief Mkhumbi Dlamini – Chairman of Council

Professor J.M. Thwala – Vice Chancellor

Professor T.H. Gadaga – Pro Vice Chancellor Academic

Dr S.S. Simelane – Registrar

Professor P.S. Dlamini

Mr Sandile Dlamini

Ms T. Dlamini

Mr B.G. Gama

Dr P. Horton

Professor A.M. Manyatsi

Professor C. Maphosa

Mr M. Mdluli

Mr B. Ndzinisa

Mr S. Shongwe

In attendance were:

Mr M.E. Dlamini

Ms G. Mndzebele

Mr A. Thwala