University of KwaZulu-Natal



UKZN Senate highlights academic excellenceThe University of KwaZulu-Natal’s excellence is exemplified by the work of its educational and research staff, the quality of its graduates, and its national and global recognition.This was the unanimous agreement of the UKZN Senate following a special Senate meeting, chaired by UKZN Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renuka Vithal, on Thursday 21 June 2012, on the recent media coverage.As the seeker, promoter and custodian of academic quality at the University, the UKZN Senate is committed to upholding the academic integrity of the University’s academic programmes. The rigorous monitoring of UKZN’s academic standards and highly productive research output has earned the University a ranking as one of the top 500 in the world, according to the Academic Rankings of World Universities (ARWU). UKZN is one of three African universities to be consistently ranked in the top 500 of the ARWU rankings since 2005, and the rankings are a first for a merged institution in the country.A recent ten year analysis by Thomson Reuters using the “InCites” international research analysis tool has rated mathematics at UKZN number one in the country among all universities and shown to compare very favourably with similar universities internationally. Senate acknowledged that UKZN is recognized as one of the top five leading research-led universities in the country. In a report by Prof Johan Mouton (2012), for the period 1990 to 2009, UKZN was ranked the second highest in terms of total research publications output, accounting for 13.2% of South Africa’s research output. According to the latest Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the research output per UKZN staff member is 105% of the national norm.UKZN boasts 11 prestigious South African Science and Technology Research Chairs that range from Quantum Information Processing to Gravitating Systems – placing us fourth in the country for the number of such Chairs. UKZN boasts 6 NRF “A” Rated researchers – the fifth highest in the country. The University’s scientists play an integral role in the global fight against HIV /AIDS and Tuberculosis. The Centre for AIDS Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), one of the largest HIV and AIDS research centres, is located at the University’s Medical School campus. Other major research centres in HIV and AIDS research include the Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies and the multi-million rand KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for HIV and Tuberculosis (K-RITH)In addition, the University’s Quality Promotions and Assurance Unit regularly reviews and monitors the standards of academic programmes that are benchmarked against national and international standards. Senate takes pride in a rigorous academic monitoring and support system implemented in all Colleges to improve student success – this system was reviewed and commended by an external panel of experts in 2011.Professional degrees at the University are accredited and have maintained their accreditation by the relevant external bodies, including the Council for Higher Education (CHE), the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the Health Professions’ Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the Council for Higher Education and the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). Innovation and relevance are critical factors in degree offerings – and in this regard UKZN is the only university in South Africa to offer a degree in Agricultural (Bioresources) Engineering that is fully accredited by the Engineering Society of South Africa.Over the past eight years the University’s teaching and research programmes have attracted scholars and highly respected academics from both within South Africa and abroad. Academic exchange programmes continue to flourish with some 46 countries internationally.In addition, Senate noted that UKZN enrolments have increased steadily since 2008, and has achieved its DHET approved target with 42 198 enrolments in 2011, making UKZN one of the largest contact universities in the country. This year UKZN graduated 8849 students the highest in the past eight years. The teaching, learning and research spaces have received ongoing upgrading and investment in infrastructure. UKZN has the largest wireless roll out in the country with more than 80% of lecture venues, all campus-based residences and one entire campus being wireless.Senate thanks the UKZN academic community for their invaluable contribution in raising and maintaining the academic profile and standing of the University.EndIssued on behalf of Senate:Prof Renuka VithalActing Vice-ChancellorUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal ................
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