November 24, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
ONE of the cornerstones of Johannesburg's 2030 vision towards becoming a vibrant economic and social city was put into place on Friday with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the city council and five tertiary institutions.
The memorandum of understanding puts a seal on the strategic partnerships forged between the local government and Johannesburg's Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).
Executive mayor Amos Masondo, at the official signing ceremony in Braamfontein on Friday 19 November, said the memorandum of understanding "will ensure that the Joburg 2030 strategy is realised".
The 2030 vision outlines the City's plans for ensuring economic growth, through the utilisation of available resources, to create a better life for all of its residents. One of the key aspects of the 2030 vision is to address skills shortages.
"If we want to address key challenges such as unemployment, poverty, economic and social development and provision of basic services we need to plan ahead," Masondo said. Johannesburg's HEIs had an important role to play in local economic and social development, he added.
The signing of the memorandum, by the mayor and the vice chancellors of Technikon Witwatersrand and Technikon South Africa, Rand Afrikaans University and Vista University (East Rand and Soweto campuses) and the deputy vice chancellor of University of the Witwatersrand, was the culmination of a process that began in March this year.
The parties undertook to work together "to advance the mutual interests of the Higher Education Institutions and the council so that they serve and respond to the needs of the city and its citizens". This included skills development for both the public and private sectors.
The educational institutions also agreed to "promote the development of graduates by involving them in socially beneficial projects and explore the role of higher education in local developments".
Masondo said the initiative was an important one that would "go a long way to ensure that our vision of building Johannesburg into a world class African city becomes a reality".
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