Mafikeng Campus appoints Registrar
On 1 September 2014, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, appointed Franco Madimetja Nkoana as its campus Registrar.
Nkoana has 29 years' extensive relevant experience in academic administration of higher education institutions, 16 of which have been in leadership and senior management positions at the former University of the North (TURFLOOP), Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA), and from 2009 to date, at the University of the Free State (UFS).
He also has extensive relevant experience in liaising with university lawyers on student cases, University Committees of Council and Senate, faculties, students and students leadership, university academic, professional and administrative staff, national, provincial and local government departments, and non-governmental organisations.
He has also worked with the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), donors and sponsors on academic admissions, selections, financial aid, registrations, student disciplinary matters, student records, examinations, academic records, graduation ceremonies, applications for conditional and full exemption certificates from the Matriculation Board (HESA), National Senior Certificate for admissions to undergraduate studies from UMALUSI, and the students' biographical information, study permit, medical aid, evaluation of foreign qualifications with the South African Qualifications Authority, assist the faculties and schools in screening of first-time students for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, and co-ordination of registration of students with the professional bodies/councils/societies/authorities.
Nkoana, former Assistant Registrar: Examination Data and Student Records at the former University of the North (TURFLOOP); Director: Academic Administration and Acting Deputy Registrar(Academic) at the former Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA); and Senior Director: Student Academic Services (Academic Administration) at the University of the Free State (UFS), was mainly responsible for faculty and academic administration (applications, admissions, academic structure (modules catalogue) registrations, examinations, academic timetables and venues, graduations, student records, financial Aid and postgraduate office.
His career started at the Department of Education in 1984 as Administration Clerk, and in 1987 he joined the former University of the North as Assistant Examination Data and Student Records Officer, and was later promoted to Examination Data and Student Records Officer, Principal Examination Data & Student Records Officer and Assistant Registrar: Examination Data and Student Records until May 2000.
After a term of 13 years at the University of the North, he joined the former Medical University of Southern Africa in the position of Director: Academic Administration, from June 2000 to July 2005, and appointed as Acting Deputy Registrar (Academic) from August 2005 to January 2009. He joined the University of the Free State from February 2009 to July 2010 as Director: Student Academic Services, and he was later promoted to Senior Director: Student Academic Services from August 2010.
Nkoana has extensive experience and knowledge in academic and faculty administration. He serves on numerous universities and Nursing Colleges Council, Senate and Executive Management Committees.
He has a very high passion for student academic administration, akin to a good appetite for healthy food, and he enjoys working with students, administrative, academics and professional staff members, and has served in this and similar divisions at three different universities over the past 29 years.
When asked about his appointment, he had this to say: "I am positively hoping that it will be possible for the Office of the Campus Registrar divisions to achieve and realise the strategic objectives, values, mission and vision of the North-West University with the co-operation and unfailing support from all the relevant stakeholders, and I will hold the post with utmost diligence for the progress of the North-West University, the benefit of the students and staff, Department of Higher Education and Training, as well as South Africa."
"The bottom line regarding the functionality of the Campus Registrar's divisions is to provide support services for the faculties, academic and administrative departments, university's core business, ensure efficient and accountable systems in the administration of students and staff matters under the Campus Registrar's divisions in so far as it fits into the North-West University's strategic objectives, mission, vision, values and to execute all related functions diligently and efficiently to the satisfaction of NWU students and staff, as well as the dignity, the benefit of students and staff, the progress of the university and South African government. Many thanks for the golden opportunity to lead the divisions under the Campus Registrar on behalf of NWU Council, Senate, Executive Management, Vice-Chancellor, Campus Rector and Institutional Registrar," concluded Nkoana.