UNIVERSITY of SA (Unisa) rector Antony Melck has resigned, the university announced in Pretoria on Monday. It quoted Melck in a statement as saying his move was prompted by silence from the university council on his offer to stay on to help with Unisa’s pending merger with Visa University and Technikon SA (TSA). Melck’s contract expired earlier in the year. ”Council has not responded to my offer. On the contrary, a successor is about to be appointed. Neither has it addressed a range of serious issues that I have been raising consistently for more than a year,” Melck said. Education Minister Kader Asmal reportedly wanted Melck to retain his post until the completion of the merger. Melck told staff in a circular on Monday that Unisa was currently in a difficult position with the filling of senior posts. It faced an extra managerial burden because of the merger with TSA and Vista. ”I offered to be of further assistance, as long as this was within the five-year period envisaged in the original advertisement when I was appointed.” Melck said he had accepted a position with the University of Pretoria. His last day at Unisa will be September 30. – Sapa