Page 49 - Transformation Indaba Report

I suspect that the next ITP (2023-2027) would need to contain to break down what that may then mean for how institu-
elements that we think makes up institutional culture so that tional culture can take shape within the university. It’s going
measurement, accountability, and tracking progress can to be a very difficult exercise in providing that definitional
work. If you don’t have that you will have different thematics framework, but it is something that we should at least
playing into what people will think is the definitional frame- attempt to do for the new ITP.
work of institutional culture. For example, Khaya could argue
that it’s voice; Saki could argue that it’s recognition; Neil Personally, I’m so convinced that institutional culture gets
could argue that it’s wellness; Heather could argue that it’s produced by the six economies that I’ve put forward. If you
broad participation; Zandile could argue that it’s the dis- don’t change the intellectual economy of the university,
juncture between values and practice; and so forth. you’re not going to change the institutional culture; if you
don’t change the effective economy, you’re not going to
If you look at our ITP (the positive transformative culture change the institutional culture.
and employee relations environment) I would agree with
Saki because institutional culture is the extent to which the We will have to get together and discuss those definitional
university recognises the diversities in its space. We’ll have parameters of institutional culture. (A Keet)

Where do we fit in? The State of the Nation (SONA), look internally, we will see that we are so far away from that
the state of the university, and as we reflected over the ask, even though it will be part of a broader look at issues
last two days, with the Engagement arm and now the of gender. I see it as linked to institutional culture because
Transformation arm and I think as you say you (Andre) were I see our work internally and externally at the university
speaking about the six economies.I think that people in as being linked to institutional culture and for us to see
the Metro, as they look at the transformation of our univer- how we are going to play a role. Let’s take an example of
sity, may reduce it by saying “follow the money”. I’m raising the George Campus - there were issues raised about lang-
this because of the important role that the supply chain uage, accommodation, transport that will enable the poor /
management has and the difficulty in shifting. There’s been poorer communities to come into the space. I see the eco-
a decided push by the presidency to try to get 40% of nomy and the access in terms of students and staff as
procurement into the hands of women in the country. linked to institutional culture. (A Zinn)
When we look at that request from the state and when we

How is it linked to the institutional culture of the university? What would the definitional framework be that we put forward
for the new ITP? Would we say procurement falls under a different thematic area perhaps? (A Keet)

I’m looking at the issues of gender more broadly. Not only GBV, but inclusivity, values of the university, and what role we
play inside the university, in the community and in the country. (A Zinn)

How procurement is done is supposed to reflect what your your institutional culture is such that you are trying to empow-
values are. That’s why I’m saying that how you procure and er women then you will look at procuring more from women,
from whom you procure is determined by your institution- in the institution. I think that the practices that we have is
al culture. The problem around GBV is basically the socio- based on historical relationships that we have with different
economic level at which most of the victims operate. So, if service providers. Perhaps we need to look at that. (Matilda)

NelsoN MaNdela UNiversity • traNsforMatioN iNdaba • 2022 43