(Published - 28 January 2019)

The University of the Western Cape is proud to announce that UWC Registrar, Ms Nita Lawton-Misra, has been appointed to serve on the Council on Higher Education (CHE) board for a period of four years.

“This is a very important appointment,” says Prof Tyrone Pretorius, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC. “As higher education in South Africa undergoes swift changes in an attempt to better serve the country, and to address the larger challenges facing our world, the CHE’s work becomes more important than ever.”

The CHE plays a vital role in guiding higher education in South Africa by providing a system of quality assurance, monitoring and reporting on the state of the higher education system, intellectual engagement on key national and international issues, and providing advice to the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Lawton-Misra is a registered psychologist and holds a University Diploma in Education (UDW), Diploma in Specialised Education (UNISA), BA Degree (Majors: Education and Psychology) (UNISA), BEd Degree (UNISA) and an MEd Degree from Wits. She is honoured by the nomination, and eager to serve.

“This is a wonderful opportunity, and one that I believe reflects the confidence external organisations, and especially the higher education sector, has in the University of the Western Cape,” she says. “My participation on the CHE board allows for UWC to engage in debates and policy decisions, and to help determine the direction that higher education is taking in South Africa. At the same time, it also places added responsibilities on various offices at the University - including my own - to ensure that our academic offerings reflect the highest levels of quality and compliance.”

Since joining UWC as Registrar, her main responsibilities have been: Institutional Governance (which includes the overall management and secretariat function of the governance structures within the applicable frameworks); and Academic Administration in partnership with Senate and Faculties (which includes, amongst others, Registration of University qualifications, Student Administration from Application, Admissions, Registration and Examinations to Graduation).

“At UWC, we have seen firsthand how Ms Lawton-Misra combines her passion and understanding of higher education with her ability to transform vision into reality,” says Prof Tyrone Pretorius. “I have full confidence that she will serve the CHE with distinction, and will help lead higher education in this country to new heights.“