Welcome to the HOD Guide

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

 Congratulations on and thank you for assuming or continuing with your position as Head of Department (HoD).

 The HoD is a vitally important position at Rhodes University. This Guide has been prepared to support you in undertaking your challenging responsibilities. We trust that you find it a useful mechanism and look forward to suggestions for its improvement.

 You have been chosen for your vision, knowledge, skills and abilities, and the confidence that you enjoy among your colleagues. I look forward to you harnessing your leadership qualities to create the conditions in which your disciplene/field and department can thrive, academics can undertake excellent teaching and research, students can develop their intellectual and scholarly potential, and various challenges can be effectively mediated. The responsibility of the HoD is not only to create the optimal conditions for learning, teaching, research and community engagement, but to also exercise leadership in these regards.

 I am aware that there are onerous aspects of being a HoD, and while these are a necessary aspect of any position I welcome proposals on how the administrative demands on HoDs can be eased. I am also committed to meeting regularly with HoDs, and will always be available to meet with you as soon as possible should you have the need to discuss any matter. I am certain that the Vice-Chancellors Deans, and senior administrators will always also accommodate any requests for meetings.

 I am most pleased with the recent formation of the HoD Forum. This is a potentially invaluable mechanism for pooling the knowledge, wisdom and expertise of HoD’s, for sharing good practices and for further interaction with senior administrators and Deans.

 I wish you wisdom and strength in your position as HoD and hope that it will be a productive, fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Saleem Badat

January 2012