Vision

Rhodes University’s vision is to be an outstanding internationally-respected academic institution which proudly affirms its African identity and which is committed to democratic ideals, academic freedom, rigorous scholarship, sound moral values and social responsibility.

Mission

In pursuit of its vision, the University will strive to produce outstanding graduates who are innovative, analytical, articulate, balanced and adaptable, with a life-long love of learning; and to strive, through teaching, research and community service, to contribute to the advancement of international scholarship and the development of the Eastern Cape and Southern Africa.
Accordingly, the University undertakes

•  to develop shared values that embrace basic human and civil rights;
• to acknowledge and be sensitive to the problems created by the legacy of apartheid, to reject all forms of unfair discrimination and to ensure that appropriate corrective measures are employed to redress past imbalances;
• to create a research-based teaching and learning environment that will encourage students to reach their full potential, that is supportive of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and that will produce critical, capable and skilled graduates who can adapt to changing environments;
• to promote excellence and innovation in teaching and learning by providing staff and students with access to relevant academic development programmes;
• to provide an attractive, safe and well-equipped environment that is conducive to good scholarship and collegiality;
• to provide a safe and nurturing student support system as well as a diverse array of residential, sporting, cultural and leadership opportunities that will foster the all-round development of our students, the university and the region as a whole;
• to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre and to provide development programmes for staff at all levels;
• to promote excellence in research and other creative endeavours;
• to play an active role in promoting inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration within the Eastern Cape Province;
• where appropriate, to assist in the development of the Eastern Cape Province by making available the university’s expertise, resources and facilities;
• to play a leading role in establishing a culture of environmental concern by actively pursuing a policy of environmental best practice;
• to strive for excellence and to promote quality assurance in all its activities.

Values

Organizational culture eats strategy for breakfast

~ Peter Drucker

The following core values and principles reflect our commitment to create a positive, supportive and enabling institutional environment conducive to the advancement of our vision and the fulfilment of our mission. The core values will guide our decisions and interpersonal interactions in serving Rhodes University.

Academic freedom – We are committed to upholding the freedom of  students and staff, subject  to scholarly norms and ethical standards, to conduct research, teach and learn, and to engage in any other intellectual inquiry without unreasonable interference or restriction from law or public pressure.

Institutional autonomy - We are committed to upholding and defending our institutional autonomy in a responsible and accountable manner.

Excellence – We are committed to high-quality teaching, research and community engagement and to providing the support and levels of service needed to achieve this.

Collegiality – We are committed to working together, harnessing our diversity, to create a rich social, cultural and intellectual space that facilitates a sense of belonging, independent thinking and freedom of expression for staff and students.

Social Justice and Respect for each other – We are committed to ensuring that the inherent dignity of each individual is observed and that we treat each other in an open, fair and ethical manner.

Equity and Redress – we are committed in all that we do to the promotion and realisation of equity and redress as per Constitutional imperative.

Development and wellbeing – We are committed to the development and well-being of our institution, and to its various collectives, as well as to staff and students, as demonstrated by our engagement in critical reflection and a responsiveness to change.

Stewardship - We arecommitted to caring for the resources, including the natural environment, entrusted to us, in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Advancing the Public Good – We are committed to fostering the development of knowledgeable, competent, skilled graduates who will contribute to the forging of a critical and democratic citizenship, by proactively engaging society with its pressing socio-economic challenges to realise the institutional mandate of social justice and transformation.

Underpinning these values is the principle of accountability and courage: we acknowledge that we are answerable to each other, our Council and ultimately, South African society for the decisions we make and the actions we take. We are committed to openness and transparency in our governance, our decision-making and in the execution of our responsibilities and we are committed to demonstrating courage in confronting those who violate the values for which we stand.

Last Modified: Tue, 10 Sep 2019 11:20:37 SAST