Page 62 - Transformation Report

2. Strengthen Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Governance Processes

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) the Committee. Internal Audit assurance processes identified
department is responsible for the development and opportunities for further improvement of ICT governance,
implementation of the University’s IT strategy. The and management committed to further improve identified
Digitalisation Strategy was developed to enable the weaknesses. The Committee will continue to work with
automation of the key business processes. The risks inherent management to enhance ICT governance. Due to the
in the ICT environment were identified and handled challenges of genuine paperless and digital meetings,
by Management. The Information and Communication information is being duplicated and while the processes
Technology Committee (ICTC), comprising management, ensure information is not being lost or misplaced, the lack of
considered the ICT risks. The ICT risks were also monitored a Single Point of Truth (SPOT) is being highlighted in these
by the Committee as part of the quarterly risk management times.
reporting and the decisions of the ICTC were shared with

3. Improve Student Experience of Complaints and Disciplinary Processes

Systems have been implemented to ensure the efficacy and both employees and students were advised using
of our processes and in turn, improve the student MEMO email on Friday 6 November 2020 that complaints
experience of complaints and the disciplinary process. may be lodged via the online reporting page accessible via
One of the aforementioned systems implemented is the the staff and student portals. Discussions are underway with
online complaints system for gender-based violence and ICT regarding the implementation and/or extension of this
discrimination/harassment in terms of the Sexual Harassment system to include academic and non-academic offences as
and Sexual Offences and Integrated Equality policies, outlined in the Student Disciplinary Code.
respectively. This system went live during November 2020

4. Migrate from a Manual Student / Employee Complaints System to an Electronic System

In collaboration with ICT, an e-grievance form was developed Subsequent to a skills audit being conducted on the cohort
which allows employees to lodge complaints electronically. of service employees, particularly Protection Services, they
An alert is sent to the HR Service Partner with the aim to were provided with tablets/devices and trained to log
improve the turnaround times when cases are logged. grievances via the e-grievance form.

5. Design a Programme to Train Students to Defend Respondents in Student Disciplinary
Hearings

The Faculty of Law and the Law Clinic are responsible for distributed together with a copy of the Student Disciplinary
the training of law students who volunteer from the Black Code, to respondents summoned to appear before the
Lawyers Association Student Chapter and who then support disciplinary panel. Owing to the pandemic, when no law
respondents in student disciplinary hearings. This training is students have been on campus, training did not take place in
conducted annually due to the short life cycle of students 2020 and 2021, but some of the students who were trained
at the University upon completion of their studies. Once previously continue to make themselves available to assist in
the students are trained, the list of trained law students is student disciplinary hearings.

6. Council’s Oversight Role

The Council, established in terms of Section 27(4) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997) as amended, is the
highest decision-making body of the University and is responsible for the oversight and governance of the Nelson Mandela
University. Council consists of external members as well as University employees and students, with the external members
constituting more than 60 percent of its membership. The Council is responsible for, inter alia:

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