Ntuthuko Maphumulo Technikons struggling to implement transformation now have an extra task, suggested by the Council on Higher Education (CHE): to reposition themselves, to merge or face closure. ItOs a challenge for these 15 tertiary institutions, but two technikons are ahead already. They have been discussing a merger for 10 years. Next month their councils will decide whether to go ahead. A merger between ML Sultan and Natal Technikon may seem logical because of proximity: only a road separates the two campuses. Another reason is that both institutions offer the same courses, although their strengths are not the same. ML Sultan is strong in information technology, for example, and its hotel school is justly famous, while Natal attracts students for its engineering faculty.
But now that the talks have gained ground with the CHE recommendations, problems and complications of merging the institutions have begun to surface. Labour problems will affect everyone, from ordinary workers, management and academics all the way to the top: there can be only one vice- chancellor. Legislation enabling the merger has not yet been passed, but there will clearly only be one council. Branches of the National Union of Technikon Employees of South Africa (Nutesa) at both Natal and ML Sultan agree with the merger but would like their concerns about job losses addressed. Currently the union has asked for a seat on the steering committee. NutesaOs Shakeel Orie said: OThe council at ML Sultan has no problem with the union having a seat, but has not indicated whether they will get the seat and when theyOll get it.O Natal Technikon NutesaOs Anne de Meyer said the institutionOs vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Bennie Khoapa, has on two occasions publicly stated there will be no job losses at Natal because of the merger.
However, the steering committee has not yet taken a decision on merging. And at this point, said Zakhele Nyuswa, acting head of communication and marketing at ML Sultan, Othere is no way of knowing whether there will be job losses or not. OThe question of size and shape influences how big we should be and what we should be doing and who we should service. In other words, it may transpire that the staff complement needs to be increased.O A report presented to the steering committee by the Natal Technikon vice- chancellor as representing the position of both institutions looks into the expected outcome of the merger and implications for its implementation. Among issues to be addressed are the relative costs of both institutions Natal Technikon fees are higher than ML SultanOs. The two institutions will have to decide whether they will form one institution or satellite campuses. With the duplication of faculties or departments, notes the report, there will be a need to relocate some faculties or departments or create new ones at the new campus, if that option is decided on. Another option suggested in the report is for existing campuses to remain, but additional campuses to be opened in different parts of the region, depending on the need. The report, which will be presented to Minister of Education Kader Asmal and the Department of Education, bears the reminder that the ministry will have to be committed to the merger with financial back-up. If legislation is passed, a date can be set for the formation of both councils into a single body and the new council will have to elect an executive committee and office bearers, which will include the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. Students seem to have no problems with the concept of the merger. Malusi Mkhize, president of the studentsO representative council at ML Sultan, says the council is behind the merger. The two technikons have for the second time invited Mangosuthu Technikon to join the process. They have been turned down once before and are leaving it up to Mangosuthu to decide which way to go. Meanwhile, the CHE has recommended that not only Mangosuthu technikon but the University of Zululand Umlazi campus also join the new institution.