Refresher Course for Academics a Hit at UKZN

BY: .

UKZN’s College of Health Sciences recently hosted a refresher programme for its academic staff which focused on policies and guidelines pertinent to achieving and maintaining good governance in research-related activities in the Higher Education sector.  

Co-ordinated by the College’s Human Resources Office, the Programme also outlined the new roles of academic and professional services staff since the reorganisation. ‘The new structure gave rise to new roles and responsibilities of each group and it is therefore vital that regular refresher sessions are held to ensure all staff are kept abreast of these developments,’ said Director of College Professional Services, Professor Fanie Botha. 

As the College’s academic staff are also health professionals, many engage in private work. Mrs Nadia Lasich, College Human Resources Manager, discussed the amended Private Remunerative Work (PRW) policy which has been effective since January 2013. 

‘The private remunerative work guidelines are new and it was an opportunity to share this with the College,’ she said.  

The Programme also covered a number of presentations that required adherence by staff but also included general information on disclosure of interests, gifts, plagiarism, financial regulations, research ethics, animal research ethics and intellectual property. 

The policy on the disclosure of interests, as presented by the Assistant Registrar, Mr Njabulo Zuma, encouraged annual declaration of a staff member’s conflict of interests, specifically referring to ownership, senior positions in companies such as shareholdings or being board members. This policy is aimed at ensuring sound ethical practice and good governance among staff when procuring companies to provide services at UKZN.  

The workshop also looked at the gift policy aimed at regulating the receiving and offering of gifts. The policy clearly outlines that gifts received or given to associates that are worth more than R 1000 need to be logged into the gift register. Personal gifts between colleagues are excluded. 

All presentations can be accessed on the College website. The College intends to host this programme in 2014 as well.

-          MaryAnn Francis