Upgrading our systems

If you are serving more than 900 students all over the country and beyond, it is essential to have an up-to-date student information system (SIS) and a comprehensive learning management system (LMS). To achieve this, Mukhanyo is poised to start what will probably be its most important capital expenditure project for the next year.

A number of service providers were identified, their programmes evaluated and a short-list of six providers made presentations. A final decision has been taken by executive management and is now awaiting final Board review and approval in June. Mr Gui Rios has been appointed to lead the implementation team as from 1 June.  The discovery, preparation, and implementation process will start in June for the new SIS and LMS to be operational before the end of 2019.

The new SIS and LMS systems will expand Mukhanyo’s ability to serve both distance and campus-based students regarding aspects such as registration, financial and other student matters, study material, assignments, assessment and progress, communication between lecturers, tutors, and students, etc. Students will also be able to communicate with their groups, tutors, and with the KwaMhlanga campus through their computer and/or smart phones.

One small challenge: The project will cost almost R600 000 for the setup and first four years. Fund raising has started, but it is by far not completed yet.
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In the meantime, Malcolm Buys, our ICT manager, reports that Mukhanyo has now fully implemented Microsoft 365 for the digital flow between faculty staff. This also makes other digital reforms such as the implementation of LMS and a digital library possible. Being in Africa does not mean you cannot keep with the times!

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