Parliament, Thursday, 25 February 2021 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology will tomorrow undertake a follow-up oversight visit to the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Main Campus in Vanderbijlpark, in light of the unsatisfactory responses it got from the institution in its previous engagements.
The institution was placed under administration by the Minister of Higher Education on 15 August 2019, as provided for in section 45 of the Higher Education Act, 1997. This followed widespread allegations of maladministration, abuse of power, inconsistent and selective application of disciplinary measures, procurement irregularities, corruption relating to infrastructure projects, and other serious allegations. Furthermore, a panel of independent assessors made findings of leadership, governance and management challenges. VUT was in such a state of collapse that an intervention was a necessity.
The committee visited the institution on 7 February 2020 to assess the progress made by the administrator to stabilise VUT and to interact with the student body and worker stakeholders. Subsequently, the committee held two virtual meetings with VUT to assess progress. As a result of unsatisfactory answers from VUT following a meeting held on 28 October 2020, the committee resolved that an oversight visit is necessary.
During this visit to VUT, the committee will interact with the administrator, the interim Student Representative Council, labour representation and also visit various infrastructure projects and student residences to ascertain if there is any improvement.
Details of the visit
Date: 26 February 2021
Time: 10:00
Venue: VUT main campus
The programme for the visit can be downloaded from: https://tinyurl.com/kxt3s6yw
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR PHILLY MAPULANE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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