WeeklySA_AdminBEACON: The recent bold move to further its international standing by striking a partnership with Germany’s Fern University of Hagen is a step in the right direction…
By Nhlanhla Mbatha
The University of South Africa (Unisa) has been making headlines lately, and not all of them have been flattering. From allegations published by City Press accusing the institution of administrative mismanagement to concerns about academic integrity, the university has been the subject of intense scrutiny.
Yet, amid the noise, Unisa has quietly been forging new paths, not only addressing the issues raised, but also expanding its global footprint through strategic partnerships.
It’s easy to sensationalise institutional challenges, especially when it comes to a university as large and influential as Unisa. With its vast student body scattered across Africa and beyond, administrative complexities are inevitable.
However, what is often missing from the public discourse is UNISA’s unwavering commitment to tackling these challenges head-on. The university’s leadership, led by vice-chancellor Puleng LenkaBula, has responded assertively to the allegations, reaffirming their zero-tolerance stance on academic misconduct and emphasising their commitment to delivering high-quality education.
“We are committed to addressing any challenges we face head-on and will not be deterred by unwarranted attempts to discredit the great strides we have made,” LenkaBula is on record saying, underlining the university’s resolve to improve and maintain its standards.
In a world where reputations of institutions as large as Unisa can be easily tarnished by a few reports, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. Unisa has, in many ways, been a beacon of opportunity for students who cannot afford traditional, in-person university education.
It has been at the forefront of distance learning for decades, making higher education accessible to those who would otherwise have limited options. The university’s efforts to enhance academic rigor, including introducing new measures to prevent the misuse of AI tools, should be helping to show its commitment to adapting to modern challenges while maintaining the integrity of its programmes.
Amid all this, Unisa has made a bold move to further its international standing by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fern University of Hagen in Germany recently. This partnership, according to Unisa, opens doors for collaborative research and student exchanges, reinforcing the institution’s position as a leader in distance learning.
“This collaboration marks a major milestone for UNISA as we expand our global footprint. It demonstrates our commitment to innovation and international cooperation, benefiting both our students and staff as we continue to grow as a global institution,” says LenkaBula.
This partnership couldn’t have come at a better time, she says, while the university is handling criticism, showing the world that it is ready to embrace new opportunities and expand its academic influence beyond Africa.
To its credit, such partnerships signal Unisa’s desire to grow, innovate, and become a global leader in open and distance learning.
Criticism aside, what we see in UNISA is a university that refuses to crumble under pressure. Instead, it is demonstrating resilience by not only addressing its challenges, but also by expanding its horizons through international collaborations. Yet, no one is above criticism, and, better still, criticism can elicit progress. It is also important to emphasise the watchdog role of the media in exposing wrongdoing while reflecting fairness in their reporting.
That said, an institution the size of Unisa should rather embrace criticism, in order to grow and become a better institution, than swat it away or fret. By the same token, detractors of the institution must also cut it some slack and acknowledge progress where there has been. As someone once said, it is far more valuable to look for strength in others; you can gain nothing by criticising their imperfections”.
Let’s build rather than destroy, and, for its part, Unisa should show candour whenever there have been some professional lapses and be transparent about how it has addressed issues that raise public or stakeholder ire.
In the age of digital learning, the future belongs to institutions that can adapt, innovate, and remain accessible. Indeed, Unisa must be seen to embrace scrutiny that comes with success.
Despite the hurdles, the university must continue to demonstrate its capacity to navigate the complex landscape of higher education in the 21st century. If anything, its ability to withstand public scrutiny while pushing forward with global initiatives will go a long way to proving that it is more than equal to the gigantic task of being part of the future of education not just in Africa, but worldwide.
* Mbatha is an independent media practitioner based in Soweto.
