Page 61 - Transformation Indaba Report

formation which isn’t always obvious as we don’t all think formation journey is “co-create”. She pointed out that ano-
about innovation as an indicator. Thinking about how we ther key word emerging is “voice”, the importance of voice
do things; how we can do it differently; and what different and the importance of stakeholders being given the oppor-
things should we be doing is a key set of questions that we tunity to be heard but also for their contributions to be
need to ask ourselves as it relates to transformation. Linked responded to. The theme of “voice” emerged from the meta-
to innovation is societal impact. How through our embed- analysis, which included 12 years of institutional culture studies.
dedness; through our role; through our reason for being and How the university engages with its stakeholders, how it
living into our purpose; are we making an impact? Prof Nel internalises what it hears, and responds in meaningful ways
reported that the stakeholders were saying how they truly is important so that people are assured their voice matters.
wished and desired for Mandela university to be taken to
greater heights; to be known for some of the excellent work At the heart of V2030 are different dimensions; our vision
that’s being done; to be known for the brilliant innovations and mission; our core academic mandates or missions; and
that are taking place in our system, particularly around the at the center of the shelter. At the center of our academic
whole issue of an ethic of care and compassion and a humane core missions is ‘inclusive student access for success’ sup-
face to the university. She reminded us that this isn’t always ported by key enablers. Institutional culture is a key pillar of
equally felt by everybody in terms of their lived experience support/of enabling/of promoting excellence and ensuring
and because no system is ever perfect, we constantly must that we live into our six core values to its highest potential.
keep looking for the gaps and how we could more fully live Ultimately at the foundation, is ‘what kind of graduates are
into that the purpose of being in the service of society and we cultivating at Mandela University’; what are our grad-
others. Sustainability was another key feature that arose. uates known for when they leave this university; do our
Prof Nel argued that while sustainability might not obviously graduates have a distinctive set of attributes, qualities, values,
be a dimension of transformation it does form part of the
transformation journey - to transform towards being more
sustainable in the sense that we are living into our purpose
in the manner in which society sees our value and the contri-
bution Mandela University is making, and as a result of that
contribution and its impact, they rush to support us, not only
financially but through goodwill, partnerships and networks.

Prof Nel expressed delight at seeing how the Indaba themes
resonate with what stakeholders were saying in shaping
V2030. She furthermore reassured us that V2030 didn’t arise
from a technical planning process but rather a process hear-
ing multiple voices.A set of core messages is at the heart of
our identity and at the heart of it is “being in the service of
CasCadiNg visioN 2030
society”. Prof Nel argued that the key word shaping our trans-

sCope of traNsforMatioN: Each dimension of the University system needs to be monitored and evaluated to assess the pace, extent
and impact of transformation interventions.

inPuts ProCesses outPuts outComes

Examples: Examples: Examples: Examples:
• Funding • Curriculum transformation • Graduates • Graduate employability
• Incoming student profile • Reseatch & innovation • Staff qualifications & entrepreneurship
• Staff profile • Transformative • Research publications • Societal impact &
engagement • Institutional culture responsiveness
• Institutional culture • Innovation outputs • Sustainability
• Institutional systems, • Partnerships
processes
NelsoN MaNdela UNiversity • traNsforMatioN iNdaba • 2022 55