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Ensuring its sustainability

Entering Wits’ next century, it is important to set the University on a sustainable path. The higher education landscape has changed rapidly in recent years and so we need to be ready to adapt and embrace change to be ahead of the curve.

The fiscal environment will be one of our greatest challenges over the next years. This will also increase the competition for resources amongst universities both locally and globally. Wits must take a holistic approach to our sustainability that includes integration of all our operations (financial, systems, academic project, and campus environment).

Reimagining Work and Institutional Life

The technological acceleration and innovations of recent years has resulted in a shift in how we live, work, and learn. We must harness this to reimagine work and institutional life as a public, contact university. As these changes have opened up more opportunities for public engagement, we must also consider how this can be leveraged to preserve the space of the university as a public, intellectually-engaging, and diverse space.

We commit to:

  • Using innovation to reimagine how we work in the interests of improving sustainability, efficiency, and access; and
  • Enhancing access for multiple publics to the university precincts both through real-world and virtual platforms.
Financial Strength

There is a sustained phase of economic decline both globally and locally. Wits’ dependence on state funding is substantial and our research funding is significantly reliant on income from foreign donors and funding partners. Our cost structure will continue to be under pressure in part because of our location but also because of the shortage of quality academic resources. It is necessary for us to find sustainable solutions to our current financial challenges.

We commit to:

  • Expanding and diversifying our income streams;
  • Growing the University’s financial reserves; and
  • Maximising cost-effective resource utilisation.
Modernising Systems and Operations

Wits is a large organisation with complex systems and operations. We are also the custodian of valuable infrastructure and treasures, which we recognise are the foundation of the academic project itself. Wits has recently undergone a significant modernisation of our IT processes which must be used to its maximum benefit. Recent restructuring at the University will require further enhancements that ensure all our functions are delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

We commit to:

  • Digitalisation of our University processes;
  • Ensuring cost-effective and efficient operations; and
  • Optimising our University through the continuous development of our people, systems, and operations.
Campus of the Future

We must create a campus environment that is environmentally safe, physically accessible, and green.

We commit to:

  • Leveraging our knowledge and human capital to design a leading model for energy, water, and waste efficiency on our campuses that will serve as an example for our surrounds; and
  • Improving access and security on and around our campus.
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