VC engages campus on “sea changes” in higher education

Earlier this month Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price embarked on a series of faculty and professional, administrative and support staff (PASS) departmental visits to engage the campus community on “sea changes” in higher education. This follows the widespread student protests that have gripped the country’s universities, particularly in recent months. These have resulted in damage to some campuses and delays to or cancellations of final exams at many others.

Today, 19 November, the VC (in picture) visited the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) to talk about fees, transformation and other important issues in higher education that have spearheaded the protests. On 23 November he will meet with ICTS staff and on 3 December he is scheduled to visit the Centre for Higher Education Development, wrapping up this year’s programme. In the new year Price will visit the law, humanities, health sciences and science faculties as well as six PASS departments.

Speaking after the event, IAPO’s Kimi Keith said she valued the context and background to the protests that Price had provided. “I think that staff appreciated the time that he took out of his busy schedule to ask us our opinions and to thank us for the good work we’ve been doing behind the scenes…. In short, it was encouraging that he was open for discussion, cared about our opinions and acknowledged all the extra work.”

Photo by Michael Hammond.