Future of higher education

Abstract

Addressing the University of Venda (Univen) convocation, Professor Jonathan Jansen said internationally governments fund universities that are centres of performance where delivery takes place, rather than centers of loyalty. South Africans remain dependent on state funding. Universities will no longer be funded just because they are black or previously disadvantaged – the state will fund performers, rather than those that cry race. It also does not mean that simply because a university is big it can perform and that it will get money, but universities will be funded on the basis of how they perform. Jansen advised the University of Venda to change from a promising to a good university by maintaining stability, increasing quality and appointing the right leadership at all costs. Other success factors include dealing decisively with problems, establishing early successes, headhunting top academics, competing for leading national and international awards and escalating the marketing budget by 100 percent. To market a university substance and performance are needed, not symbols, not promises, not dreams.