Honourable Chairperson of the Council, ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me opportunity to thank the honourable Judge Mavundla for the kind introduction.

It would also be a remiss not to thank the Council of the University for appointing me in this position. This motion of confidence is much appreciated. I would like to assure the Council that I am fully committed to executing my statutory duty of managing and administering the University under the governing supervision and guidance of the Council and with due observance of my accountability and support responsibilities.

I would also like to thank you, the staff and the students, for attending this occasion.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am acutely aware of the fact that the authority associated with the office of the Vice-Chancellor will have no institutional impact, unless the incumbent has earned the trust and respect of the University community.

We all know that trust and respect within the higher education environment develop over time and are founded on a number of leadership imperatives, such as:

• impartiality, consistency, integrity and trustworthiness;
• an unrelenting focus on the interests of the institution, its staff and students;
• a thorough knowledge and understanding of the core functions of the institution, related contexts and constraints; and
• the ability to effectively and efficiently operationalize and integrate the unique drivers of the institutional operations and business.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to make a difference at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), and shall therefore, during my term of office, adhere to the leadership imperatives described above, while banking on your support, co-operation and understanding.

Our involvement in the SMU at this moment in time is to be part of history-making.

We have the singular privilege of being the first generation of the SMU community, and have, as such, an important role to play in determining, from the outset, what kind of institution the SMU will be. We are endowed with a unique legacy-making opportunity as we are called upon to emulate the founding achievements of Sefako Makgatho, who played a significant role in the founding of a number of teacher, labour and liberation movements.

The SMU has been established by the government as a new and post-apartheid university with a particular scope and mandate, embodying all the ideals of an inclusive, non-racial, non-sexist, transformed and democratic society. While grappling to finding its own identity and developing a unique institutional culture, the SMU also faces an exciting additional challenge.

The SMU was established both as a new university, as well as by incorporating the MEDUNSA Campus of the University of Limpopo. Despite certain challenges associated with the unbundling process, this incorporation must be embraced by the fledgling institution as it serves in terms of programme offering, operational capacity, infrastructure and experience as a firm and tested foundation on which the SMU can build its enterprises. This must be done with due recognition of the selfless contributions made by many staff, who despite adverse circumstances, remained committed to the educational mission of the MEDUNSA campus. Equally important, in my view, is the inspirational example set by students who excelled academically, in their service delivery and in life in general, competing with the best, despite the multiple disadvantages they had to conquer.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are called to move on and to respond with renewed vigour, passion and loyalty to the mandate of the SMU as a newly established institution.

Let's join forces with a view to articulating and embracing SMU's own vision, mission, strategic objectives and priorities. Let's support the quest for quality, not only with regard to the core functions and operations of the institution, but also the student and staff experience.

The task ahead is a challenging one. The SMU is called upon to:

• institutionalise good governance and management principles;
• earn its institutional and financial autonomy;
• secure its academic and financial sustainability;
• develop a programme qualification mix relevant to and aligned with its scope, national needs and priorities;
• provide quality education;
• develop relevant and innovative research programmes, underpinned by modern and cutting edge infrastructure and systems;
• excel in its service delivery commitments; and
• deliver a comprehensive and unique support to its staff and students.

The SMU faces this multi-dimensional challenge amidst serious public financial constraints, the lack of human resources and the total absence of or the seriously neglected state of existing infrastructure and equipment.

Ladies and gentlemen, now is not the time to suggest a final response to the challenges alluded to above.

To be able to make a contribution in this regard I need to learn and read more about the historical role and function of the constituent parts of the institution and the associated institutional dynamics.

Suffice it to indicate at this stage that our plan of action will be guided by a framework of strategic goals, objectives and performance indicators covering, inter alia:

• governance at all levels within the institution;
• strategic leadership and management;
• the core functions of the institution;
• academic and service delivery partnerships and platforms;
• institutional planning and support;
• all aspects of the student life and residence affairs;
• institutional advancement, networking and corporate communication;
• financial and human resources planning and management; and
• labour relations.

However, whatever we aspire to achieve, must be built on broad consultative processes which will allow for contributions from a variety of internal and external stakeholders on their hopes and expectations for the institution.

Ladies and gentlemen, confronting the challenges substantively requires much more than just the clinical execution of my statutory mandate to manage and administer the University, or the successful solo flights of us as individuals.

I believe our success depends significantly on the institutional impact of our joint leadership efforts, founded upon:

• mutual trust;
• a clear articulation and understanding of our institutional goals and priorities, combined with a concerted institutional effort to focus on the attainment thereof;
• an accepted institutional protocol of assessment and accountability; and
• the recognition and rewarding of success.

This may necessitate us to refocus, realign and redirect our efforts.

We should be inspired to do so by the demonstrated commitment of government and the Council to establish and develop a university with the academic stature and infrastructure comparable, not only to the best in the country, but also to those beyond our borders.

Ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to working with you to chart the way for a successful future for the SMU.

Prof Chris de Beer (26 June 2015)

How do I apply to study at SMU?

• Download the student application form, by clicking here .
• Complete the form in full and answer all questions with black ink (pen).
• Make sure the names appearing on your Identity Document (ID), as well as your certificates are the same and in the same sequence.
• All student application forms submitted after closing dates will not be considered.

I am an international student, how do I apply to study at SMU?

• All non-South African citizens and non-permanent residents are required to obtain a study permit prior to registering as students. Application for study permits should be submitted to the South African Home Affairs, Consulate or High Commissioner in your country or residence/origin, and it would be in favour of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and to be submitted during registrations.

How do I apply for SMU student residency/accommodation?

• On page 5 of the student application form, there is an option for residential application.

What documents do I attach on the SMU student application form?

• Certified copy of your Identity ID or Birth Certificate.
• Certified copy of final grade 11 results or final National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Matric Certificate (only those who completed matric). NB: Do not submit your midyear grade 12 results.
• Official academic record(s) from previous university (ies) attended, including SMU (if applicable).
• Certificate of conduct from all universities attended (if applicable).
• Proof of application fee payment (copy of deposit slip). NB: No application forms will be considered without proof of payment.

How much is the SMU student application fee?

• The application fee is R200 only and is non-refundable.

Where and how do I deposit SMU student application fee?

Bank: Standard Bank

Account Number: 071 244 395

Account Name: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Branch Number: 020 909

Use your ID number as a Reference

NB: No cash should accompany the application form.

Do SMU have online student application?

• No, unfortunately currently we do not have an online application (you can only download the application form).

When is the closing date(s) for SMU student applications 2016?

• Tuesday 30 June 2015 is the closing date to apply for the following courses: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB); Bachelor of Diagnostic Radiography (B Rad); Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS); Bachelor of Dental Therapy (BDT); Bachelor of Oral Hygiene (BoH); Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm); and Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (BSc Physio).
• Monday 31 August 2015 is the closing date to apply for the following courses: Bachelor of Nursing Sciences and Art (B NSC / B Cur); Bachelor of Speech Language, Pathology and Audiology (B SLP & A); Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (B Occ Ther); Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (BSc Dietetics); Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Statistics.

Where do I post my SMU student application form?

• Post to: The Registrar

  Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

  P.O. Box 60

  Medunsa

  0204

• Or hand deliver to : Student Administration and Registration office

  Clinical Pathology Building (Basement) at SMU

  Office Hours : Monday - Friday: 7h30 - 16h00

  Enquiries call: (012) 521 4979 / 4058 / 5886 / 4319 / 4137 / 4204

Can I e-mail/fax my SMU student application form?

• No, applications sent by either email or fax will not be considered.

How do I know if my SMU student application form has been received?

• You will receive an SMS notification notifying you that your application has been received.

How will I know about the status of my SMU student application?

• All information regarding the status of your application will be communicated to you via SMS.

When can I expect a response from SMU on whether my application has been approved or not?

• Pre-selections will be done between September and October 2015, using your grade 11 results (current matriculants) and letters with the outcome will be sent.
• The final selection process will take place during the second week of January 2016, SMS notification and telephone calls will be made to successful applicants.

What documents should I bring when I come to register at SMU in 2016, provided my student application is successful?

• Bring the following original documents: ID, NSC statements of results/ Matric Certificate (only those who completed matric), as well as an official academic transcript - (if applicable) on the day of registration during January/February 2016.

  NB: No copies will be accepted.

NB: Kindly note that all SMU prospective students must write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for 2016 admission.

For more information about NBT visit: www.nbt.ac.za , or Email: nbt@uct.ac.za , or call: 021 650 3523.

Establishment of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

SMU was established when the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande in terms of section 20 of the Higher Education Act 1997 (Act 101 of 1997) promulgated the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in the SA Government Gazette no: 37658 of 16 May 2014.

The promulgation followed the announcement made in 2011, by Minister Nzimande, when he announced his intention to separate the Medunsa Campus, from the University of Limpopo. The minister's intention was based on the findings and recommendations of the task team that was established and led by Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) and Dr Max Price, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Town (UCT).

Meet the Interim Council