21 January 2010

PSANA EXCO Meeting
Thursday 21 January 2010

Disclaimer: Please note: the matters discussed herein are the personal views and opinions of the members present at the meeting. They are therefore not the views or policies of PSANA or the University of Pretoria and PSANA and the University of Pretoria therefore do not accept liability for any damages or implications arising from the correctness of the facts stated in these minutes, unless specifically stated.

Present

• Osmond Mlonyeni (Chairperson)
• James Mehl
• Ernest Rambau
• Tinashe Kapuya

Apologies

• Camille Myburgh
• Inger Fabris-Rotelli

Osmond welcomed everyone and briefly highlighted issues raised in the last meeting. The issues on the agenda included:

• Revision of the constitution
• Attend Faculty Meetings: The new committee to attend executive meetings.
• Postgraduate Research Events in conjunction with Prof Wingfield and Faculty marketing.
• First Meetings with Honours students in 2010 to introduce PSANA to them. It was resolved in the last meeting that Inger should send out initial emails to the department secretaries to enquire when they first meet the students. In this meeting, it was resolved that:
• Website upgrade

Issues Discussed

1. Promoting Post Graduate Research
Concerning the issue of how to promote research among post graduate students, what is PSANA’s idea on what the Faculty should do in this regard?

• Give more bursaries that are sufficient to meet student’s needs
• Job incentives
• Sponsorships

Osmond expressed the importance of the need for students to be equipped with the necessary skills that make them premium quality in the work place. In this respect, key questions were raised and these were:

• How far has mentorship gone in the respective Departments in the Faculty?
• Are there any student chapters from the departments in the various societies that exist throughout South Africa?

These enquiries should be made by the PSANA committee as part of efforts to encourage student participation.

2. First meeting with Post Graduate Students
In the last meeting, it was highlighted that a meeting be set before end of January to meet with Honours Students. It was resolved that:

• James contact the PA’s and set the dates for the meetings
• Osmond will then set up the roaster

It was pointed out that Department representatives also need to made known and become part of the PSANA database. Department representatives will be obtained from the Faculty. It was resolved that Osmond be responsible for getting the details of the Department representatives. They will be part of the PSANA presentation to the Postgraduate Students.

3. Revision of the Constitution
There will be a draft presentation of the constitution to the PSANA members. Members will be required to go through the draft and make notes, comments and suggestions on issues that may require re-dress. It will be important to engage law experts and attain their views in order for pertinent changes to fall within the envelope of University regulations and Higher Education Acts.

It was resolved that the date of feedback from committee members be within a 2 week period from the 21st January 2010. This sets the deadline on the 4th February 2010. Osmond will return the final draft on the 4th March 2010.

4. Post-Graduate Events: The research week
A meeting needs to be set up with the Dean and/or Deputy Dean and discuss with them the Research Week. The committee resolved that Osmond sets up an appointment with Elmarie.

5. Attending Executive Meetings
At least one PSANA committee member should attend executive meetings which should be circulated among the committee members. It was resolved that the following members be responsible for representing PSANA at the following executive meetings:

• The Head of Departments Meetings - Osmond
• The Senate Meetings - Osmond
• The Faculty Board Meetings - Osmond
• The Vet Science Selection Committee - Camille and James
• The Admissions Committee -  Ernest
• The Education Innovation Meeting - Camille
• The Appointment Selection Committee - Tinashe

6. Dedicated Days for PSANA Meetings
It was resolved that Compulsory executive PSANA meetings be held on the first Friday of every month @ 10hr00.

7. Website upgrade
James has done a sterling job so far and we need feedback from members on how they think the website may be further improved in engaging students so as to make it more interactive and user-friendly

Osmond thanked everyone.