Instilling a sense of pride among staff and addressing imbalances are among the key objectives of the new Communication and Marketing Department Transformation Committee.

The nine-member team will drive the transformation agenda in the department for the next three years, and its chairperson, Aloysius Gowne, believes that they will make a significant contribution to change.

"We can make a difference; we can speak out on elements of injustice," he said.

The team has agreed that employment equity, institutional climate, staff development and social responsibility are key priority areas for transformation in CMD.

"Currently there are challenges in the department's employment equity - the numbers need to be corrected," he said. "And there are not enough blacks in management."

Gowne, who joined UCT in 2008, noted that the working environment could be improved, and that people should speak out and take pride in where they work and what they do.

"At the end of the day it boils down to what you do for yourself at UCT. The situation should be such that people are able to wake up in the morning and be happy and excited to come to work."

The key to this is that staff should be socially responsible, have a sound work ethic, pride themselves on excellence, and be keen on self-empowerment.

"People must be worthy of moving up the ranks because they have transformed themselves," he said.

The committee meets twice a month, and the chairperson attends the weekly management meetings, meaning that all decisions, suggestions, progress and recommendations regarding transformation issues are addressed constantly.

(Any news from your transformation committee? Monday Paper invites you to contact us at ext 3735.)