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© Copyright GlobalFluency. All Rights Reserved. 2013

RhoDes UnIveRsItyAlumni Survey ReportSeptember 2013

Rhodes UniveRsity–inteRnational sURvey tM | REPORT

2© Copyright GlobalFluency. All Rights Reserved. 2013

Contents

Introduction

Survey Objectives and Methodology

Key Findings

Detailed Results

Infographic

Commentary

Latest Rhodes Developments

Research Partners

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5

6

9

29

30

31

35



IntRoDUCtIon

Dr Saleem BadatVice-Chancellor

Rhodes University, Grahamstown

Rhodes University is a 109-year old institution with a well-established reputation for academic excellence. Located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Rhodes is a small university which enjoys the distinction of having among the best undergraduate pass and graduation rates in South Africa, outstanding postgraduate success rates, and the best research output per academic staff member. This is testimony to the quality of students that Rhodes attracts and of academic provision, and to the commitment of Rhodes staff to student development and success.

Of our 7,465 students, 2,273 (30%) are postgraduates and 21% are international students from 59 countries around the world, making Rhodes a dynamic and cosmopolitan knowledge institution. Students are able to undertake an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the faculties of Humanities, Science, Commerce, Pharmacy, Law and Education. With the most favourable academic staff to student ratio among South African universities, Rhodes students are guaranteed easy access to academics and close supervision.

The University takes pride in its motto, Where Leaders Learn, and producing graduates who are knowledgeable intellectuals, skilled professionals, and critical, caring and compassionate citizens who can contribute to economic and social development and an equitable, just and democratic society.

Education at Rhodes is a partnership between students, academics, administrators and support staff of mutual commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of our natural and social worlds. Research, teaching and community engagement seek to be alive to the social and economic challenges of the local, national, African and international contexts.

Rhodes strives to be a vibrant and innovative knowledge institution that forms professionals, thinkers and actors. Research seeks to extend the frontiers of knowledge and to also inform initiatives that promote equity, justice and economic and social development. An active community engagement programme provides numerous opportunities for students to develop and share expertise and contribute to social development.

4



Almost 50% of Rhodes students and the majority of undergraduates live in the University residences, while there are also special residences for postgraduates. Through a well-established structure of wardens, sub-wardens and residence committees, the residences play an important role in overall student development, including developing leadership skills. Numerous clubs and societies provide extensive opportunities for students to participate in a variety of intellectual, social, cultural, and sport activities and further develop valuable skills.

At Rhodes the partnership between students, academics and other staff extends to the governance of the university. Through the Students Representative Council and other representative bodies of

undergraduates and postgraduates students participate in the Council, Senate and other decision-and policy-making committees of the University. Apart from enabling students to shape the nature and direction of Rhodes, these structures provide students invaluable opportunities to develop leadership skills.

Rhodes University looks to the future with confidence, secure that as “indawo yolwazi” (a place of knowledge) and through the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and community engagement it produces outstanding graduates that are sought after and makes a vital contribution to human and social development.

I invite you to explore our website (http://www.ru.ac.za) and discover what makes Rhodes University such an attractive proposition and the institution of first choice for anyone seeking an exceptional and meaningful higher education experience.

Dr Saleem Badat, Vice-Chancellor Rhodes University, Grahamstown



sURvey objeCtIves anD MethoDology

More than 32,000 students have graduated from Rhodes University in the past 50 years. Their achievements across a broad swath of professions and fields of endeavor have been profound.

Old Rhodians hold senior positions in business and industry worldwide; many are accomplished researchers, scientists, technologists, geologists, consultants, educators, inventors and academics; a good number have earned international acclaim as authors, entertainers, athletes, actors, actresses, playrights and artists; while others have made played valuable and influential roles in public service, government, journalism and social entrepreneurship. Not to be outdone, a large percentage have also raised families and made substantial contributions through volunteering, good citizenship, philanthropy and civic leadership.

As Rhodes heads towards its 110th year in 2014, the university undertook a milestone online survey of its alumni in May and June of 2013. Nearly 1,000 graduates living in 22 countries around the world took part in this comprehensive online assessment. The research was aimed at helping Rhodes:

• Understand the level of affinity and attachment to the institution

• Better shape and define the university’s value proposition

• Determine how it can better communicate and engage with alumni

• Assess where the university can improve its student and alumni experience

• Determine how alumni can help further the university’s development agenda

• Identify alumni resources, assets and domain experts willing to assist Rhodes with global connections and contributions

A comprehensive questionnaire was developed in cooperation with GlobalFluency, an international marketing firm, and The SABLE Accelerator, a global network of expatriate South Africans.

Rhodes University conducted a comprehensive online survey of alumni in May and June of 2013 with the help of GlobalFluency, an international marketing firm, and The SABLE Accelerator, a global network of expatriate South Africans advancing commercial innovation in South Africa. Some 18,000 alumni were sent emails inviting them to contribute views and opinions about their Rhodes experience and how they perceive and rate the institution compared to other universities in South Africa and abroad. The survey instrument included some 35 multiple choice questions.

There were 957 survey participants from 22 countries. Some 40 percent of respondents (387) currently reside abroad. Countries where Old Rhodian survey respondents are living include South Africa, USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong/China, Bermuda, India, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The author of the survey was Donovan Neale-May, a member of the Rhodes University Board of Governors and chairman of the Rhodes University Trust USA (www.rhodesalumni.com).



Key FInDIngs

• Rhodes University alumni (957) responding to the online survey are widely distributed across 20-plus countries; 40 percent of those responding to the survey live abroad

• They span all age groups and remain connected to the university no matter how old

• Alumni are not as wealthy as you would think; only 18 percent earn more than $200K annually

• Most alumni are married (58 percent) and have very diverse career and recreational interests

• Many believe Rhodes should provide better “early career” assistance, including: 1) professional mentoring 2) business internships 3) job placement services 4) career counseling

• Longstanding friendships are the primary way alumni stay in touch with one another and the university

• Digital media channels (social media, web sites, mobile devices) are key to Old Rhodian engagement with more than half of alumni favoring these sources

• Only a small percentage of Old Rhodians rely on the alumni web site (49 percent have never visited the site) but those who do have clear opinions on how it can be improved

• Old Rhodians have a strong attachment, affinity and emotional link to the university; 74 percent find their time at Rhodes extremely memorable and valuable

• What made Rhodes a formative and valuable life stage experience was that it stimulated critical thinking and a questioning mind for 54 percent of respondents

• Alumni believe a unique campus and community setting, combined with high academic standards and teaching excellence, are what really distinguish Rhodes

• In contrast to other universities in South Africa, Rhodes is seen as offering a more intimate and challenging educational environment by 68 percent of alumni; 49 percent view Rhodes as equal to or better than comparable colleges and universities in other parts of the world

• Alumni are most inclined to help Rhodes by sharing experiences, making introductions, mentoring, using their influence on behalf of the university, and contacting other alumni

• Just 29 percent of Old Rhodians have contributed money to Rhodes in the past, while an additional six percent plan to shortly

• A better understanding of where contributions would go, in addition to interesting, groundbreaking projects or research from Rhodes, would encourage more to donate

KeydatapointsfromtheRhodesalumnisurvey:

• 49 percent of survey respondents have never visited the Rhodes alumni web site

• 74 percent view their time spent at Rhodes as extremely memorable and valuable

• 79 percent of alumni believe that the unique campus and community setting distinguishes Rhodes as a place of higher learning; 67 percent point to academic standards and teaching excellence

• 54 percent of those who attended Rhodes believe that is was a formative life stage experience because it stimulated critical thinking and a questioning mind

• 33 percent view Rhodes as the best liberal arts university in South Africa and 68 percent say it has a more intimate and challenging educational environment compared to others

7



• 49 percent of alumni believe that Rhodes is equal in caliber, or better than, leading private colleges/universities in other parts of the world

• However, 42 percent believe that Rhodes is not very well known outside of South Africa and still needs to gain prominence internationally

• 57 percent of alumni frequently refer and recommend Rhodes to others

• 71 percent of alumni would attend a reunion if it were held close to them

• Only 20 percent would attend a fundraising event

• 44 percent of alumni would like to know more about developments at Rhodes

• 65 percent have not contributed money to Rhodes in the past

• 47 percent say a better understanding of where contributions go would encourage them to donate

• 37 percent say that interesting and groundbreaking projects, or research, would encourage donations

HowGlobalRhodesAlumniViewSouthAfrica

• 90 percent of Old Rhodians living abroad (387 out of the 957 surveyed) are satisfied with their lifestyle or professional position overseas

• However, 32 percent would consider returning to, or retiring in, South Africa and 28 percent are undecided

• 72 percent of Old Rhodian expats living in more than 20 countries feel their skills and knowledge would be useful and valuable to South Africa

• 48 percent say they would be interested in learning more about incentives to relocate back to South Africa

• 40 percent of Old Rhodians living abroad consider themselves ambassadors and champions of the new South Africa and 33 percent visit South Africa more than once a year

• The majority of these Global South Africans still identify with their home country – 36 percent say they have strong emotional and cultural attachment and 51 percent retain affinity and connections

• 36 percent of Old Rhodians based abroad view transformation in South Africa positively, compared to 24 percent who view it negatively; 34 percent are neutral

• Friends and family remain the primary way for 81 percent of offshore Old Rhodians to stay connected to news and developments in South Africa; other important sources include Internet web sites (68 percent), international media (47 percent), and social media groups (41 percent)

RHODES UNIVERSITY–INTERNATIONAL SURVEY TM | RePoRt


DetaIleD ResUltsWHOPARTICIPATEDINONLINESURVEY

There was a well-balanced representative response from alumni who attended Rhodes University during the past fi ve decades. Stronger and more vocal contributions came from those Old Rhodians ranging in age from 40 to over 65 years (57% of survey participants). This age group still evidences close affi nity and attachment to the institution. There was also a fairly even split of male and female respondents. A surprisingly high percentage of Old Rhodians (58%) taking the survey are still married in contrast to those who said they were divorced (6%), widowed (2%) or single (31%). Survey participants provided a well-rounded global view of the university with 40 percent living outside of South Africa in more than 20 diff erent countries across multiple continents.

Countryofresidence

USA7%

HONGKONG

1%MALAWI

1%

MALAYSIA

1%

INDIA

1%

IRELAND

1%

ZIMBABWE

1%

ZAMBIA

1%

KENYA

1%

ITALY

1%SWITZER-

LAND

1%GERMANY

1%SCOTLAND

1%

NAMIBIA

1%

BOTSWANA

1%

BERMUDA

1%

CANADA

2%

AUSTRALIA

5%

NEW ZEALAND

4%UK

15%

SOUTHAFRICA

52%

Chart 1

10



Householdincome:

Lessthan$100K

$100K to $200K

More than $200K

Prefer to not answer

29%

21%

18%

33%

Familystatus:

Married

Single

Divorced

Widowed

Prefer to not answer

58%

31%

6%

3%

2%

Under 25

25-30

30-35

35-40

40-55

55-65

65 and above

2%

17%

16%

8%

25%

18%

14%

Age

Chart 2

Chart 3

Chart 4

11



Areaofwork:

Education

FinancialServices

MediaandPublishing

ProfessionalServices

InformationTechnology

Pharmaceuticals

LifeSciences

Energy

Entertainment

Government

Retail

TravelandHospitality

Automotive

Chemicals

Construction

FoodandBeverages

Insurance

Manufacturing

Telecommunications

Wholesale/distribution

Other

20%

9%

9%

8%

6%

4%

3%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

25%

Chart 5

12



HowdoyoustayintouchwithRhodesandotheralumniyouknow?

There’s no question that longstanding friendships are a vital part of keeping alumni virally connected and updated with developments at Rhodes. Not surprisingly, digital devices, social media networks and email communications are making it easier and more convenient for alumni to keep abreast of news, receive real-time updates and information, as well as track commentary and conversation. In many cases, alumni are becoming active content contributors, using social media groups and Facebook pages to post images and narratives of their memorable moments and university life experiences. Traditional forms of alumni communication using print magazines, “snail” mail and social gatherings are less preferred. Over 50 percent of alumni value regular news from Rhodes and nearly 20 percent source news from Rhodes through their business and professional relationships with other alumni.

Chart 6

Longstanding friendships

Social media groups

Email communications

Alumni news from Rhodes

Reunions and social gatherings

University mailings or magazines

Business or professional relationships

Children or acquaintances attending Rhodes

News media coverage

Online search and tracking

Other

75%

59%

53%

52%

23%

22%

19%

11%

10%

7%

5%

13



Whatdothinkofthewww.ru.ac.za/alumniwebsite?

Despite the strong allegiance to Rhodes, only 51% of Old Rhodians have visited the alumni web site. Fortunately for alumni, Rhodes is undertaking a major overhaul of its web site in an effort to make this more valuable, relevant and engaging. Ratings of the current site by alumni users are not high. Many see deficiencies in content, interface, design and news value. Only 10 percent say it is a great way to get updates and stay in touch.

Chart 7

HowdoyouviewthetimeyouspentatRhodes?

Satisfaction rates with the Rhodes University experience are overwhelming. An astounding 99 percent of Old Rhodians believed they had an extremely memorable and valuable time at Rhodes or a positive life stage experience.

Chart 8

I have never visited the site

Good content and easy to navigate

Great way to get updates and stay in touch

Very informative and helpful

Not dynamic or engaging

Clean, fresh and well-designed

Lacks updated news and information

Other

49%

16%

10%

8%

5%

4%

3%

4%

Extremely memorable and valuable

A positive life stage experience

Something I wish to forget

Other

74%

25%

0%

2%74%

25%

2%

14



WhatmadeRhodesaformativeandvaluablelifestageexperience?

“It’s not what you think, it’s how you think.” That should be the mantra of Old Rhodians. Some 54% of Old Rhodians believe their university experience stimulated critical thinking and a questioning mind. This slightly outdistanced the creation of new relationships and lasting friendships, and was well ahead of preparing them professionally for future careers.

Chart 9

Stimulatedcriticalthinkingandaquestioningmind

Enablednewrelationshipsandlastingfriendships

Preparedmeforgreaterthingsprofessionally

Advanced my learning and knowledge sharing

Where I had my most memorable adventures and antics

Created a foundation for future leadership

Provided companionship and camaraderie

Gave focus and direction to my life

Provided inspiration and enlightenment

Brought personal recognition and accolades

Introduced structure, rigor and discipline

Furthered sports or extracurricular accomplishments

Rhodes was not a positive life stage experience for me

Other

54%

51%

32%

32%

24%

22%

21%

17%

16%

7%

5%

5%

1%

3%

15



Wasyourdegreerelevanttotheworkyouarecurrentlydoing?

Just 8% of Old Rhodians say their degree from Rhodes was not relevant to the current work they are doing. More than 50 percent believe it was time well spent as their degree directly correlated with their professional career. A further 40% believe their academic preparation at Rhodes was an excellent foundation for their professional life even if it was not directly related to their ultimate occupation.

Chart 10

Yes,directlyrelevant

Partially, it provided a great foundation but is not directly related

No

53%

40%

8%53%

8%

40%

16



WhatdistinguishesRhodesasaplaceofhigherlearning?

While Rhodes might have the reputation of being South Africa’s party school, that is clearly debunked by the fact that just 24% of alumni found sports and social life most memorable and a key distinguisher of the university. In contrast nearly 80 percent believe that the unique campus and community setting of Rhodes is the biggest differentiator, followed by its academic standards and teaching excellence (67%).

Uniquecampusandcommunitysetting

Academicstandardsandteachingexcellence

Caliberoffaculty,staffandleadership

Diversity and make-up of the student body

Memorable sports and social life

Post graduate and advanced research work

Successful and well-prepared graduates

Outstanding facilities, resources and equipment

Centers of excellence and innovation

Community commitment and diversity policies

Other

79%

67%

37%

25%

24%

14%

12%

10%

8%

5%

3%

Chart 11

17



WhatcouldRhodesdotobetterserveitsunder-gradorpost-gradstudents?

Helping students break into business and better prepare for their future occupations and livelihoods top the list of ways the university can better serve its graduates and post-graduates. Some 43% would have liked assistance with professional mentoring and 39% with business internships. Job placement (38%) and career guidance (35%) were also much sought after services.

Professionalmentoring

Businessinternships

Jobplacementservices

Career counseling

Ongoing academic assistance

Alumni networking

More scholarship options

Tutoring or coaching

Lower costs and reduced tuition fees

Better sports facilities and programs

Improved safety and security

Other

43%

39%

38%

35%

26%

26%

20%

18%

12%

5%

5%

5%

Chart 12

18



HowwouldyoucharacterizeRhodesincomparisontootheruniversitiesinSouthAfrica?

While 33% of alumni consider the Rhodes the best liberal arts university in the country, most (68%) point to its intimate and challenging educational environment. This is reinforced by a view of 37% of respondents that it outdistances other South African universities by its notable centers of excellence in certain fields and sectors. Despite being a leader in academics, it is seen as a laggard in high-profile competitive team sports, according to 11 percent of alumni.

Chart 13

Amoreintimateandchallengingeducationalenvironment

Notablecentersofexcellenceincertainfieldsandsectors

Bestliberalartsuniversityinthecountry

Equal to, or better than, any higher education institution in the country

Excellent faculty and well run administration

More respected with higher standards of entry

Lacking certain academic departments and curriculum offerings

A higher level and quality of post-graduate research

Lagging in high-profile competitive team sports

Other

68%

37%

33%

33%

27%

25%

16%

14%

11%

6%

HowdoyoucompareRhodestoleadingprivatecolleges/universitiesinotherpartsoftheworld?

Looking globally, Rhodes scores well as 32% of alumni believe the institution is equal in caliber to leading private colleges/universities in other parts of the world. A further 36 percent rate Rhodes as increasingly competitive or much better than most institutions of higher learning globally.

Chart 14

Equalincaliber

Increasingly competitive

Much better than most

Lacking in certain areas

Not sure

32%

19%

17%

11%

21%

32%

19%17%

11%

21%

19



HowwelldoyouthinkRhodesisknownandrecognizedinternationally?

Unfortunately, most alumni feel Rhodes is not well known outside of South Africa, and needs to gain more prominence internationally. A small percentage also report it is often confused with The Rhodes Scholarships, which are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. On the plus side, Rhodes is perceived to have a good reputation in select academic areas by 29% of respondents.

Chart 15

Goodreputationinselectacademicareas

Not very well known outside of South Africa

Very well respected in certain countries (Commonwealth)

Still needs to gain prominence internationally

Often confused with Rhodes Scholarship program

Not well branded or defined as an institution

Other

29%

27%

17%

14%

7%

3%

3%

Haveyoukeptupwithdevelopmentsattheuniversity?

However, as the role of the CMO continues to be more customer-focused and business-minded, areas of focus including the implementation of formalized MPM dashboards (12 percent), the integration of offline and online analytics and intelligence (12 percent), and the deployment of new marketing automation solutions to improve campaign effectiveness (16 percent) should be elevated in the goals and accomplishments list.

Chart 16

Yes,Iamquiteinformed

I would like to know more

No, it doesn’t interest me

45%

43%

12%

45%

43%

12%

20



DoyoureferandrecommendRhodesUniversitytoothers?

Rhodes alumni are good advocates and evangelists for the university. Some 56% say they frequently refer or recommend the institution and 19% say they do it selectively. Activating and amplifying alumni word-of-mouth is a real opportunity for the university.

Chart 17

Yes,frequently

Selectively

Now and then

Not at all

56%

19%

18%

6%56%

19%

18%

6%

Whicheventwouldyouattendifitwereheldclosetoyou?

Reunions are popular, so Rhodes is keen to assist all alumni willing to organize, sponsor or host social gatherings and knowledge exchange programs. Less popular are fundraising functions. No one likes to be asked for money, even if it is going to a good cause.

Chart 18

Reunion

Seminar/Lecture

Dinner/Luncheon

Fundraising function

71%

49%

47%

20%

21



WouldyouconsidertravelingtoGrahamstownforcelebrationsandreunions?

Distance is not a problem (even for those overseas) and the nostalgia of Grahamstown is still a strong pull. Thirty percent of Old Rhodians would travel to their old university town for celebrations and reunions, and another 43% would strongly consider it.

Chart 19

Maybe

Yes

No

43%

30%

27%

43%

30%

27%

22



InwhatwaycouldyouhelpRhodesinyourpersonalorprofessionalcapacity?

Old Rhodians have lots to give when it comes to sharing experiences with undergraduate students. Some 37 percent are keen to do this and another 25% are open to mentoring a graduate student. A surprising 32% say they can help Rhodes with referrals and introductions, and 18% are available to sue their access, influence and personal networks to help the university advance its development activities.

Chart 20

Sharingexperienceswithprospectiveundergraduatestudents

Making referrals or introductions

Mentoring a graduate student

Just don’t have time

Contacting other alumni

Using my access, influence and personal network

Providing an internship

Talking to foundations and corporate contributors

Fundraising and grant applications

Doing public relations

Hosting fundraising events

Other

37%

32%

25%

24%

21%

18%

10%

6%

5%

5%

2%

10%

Doyouknowofanyfoundations,companies,orgrantmakerswhomightunderwriteprojectsorcontributefundstoRhodesresearch,scholarshipordevelopmentprojects?

While few alumni are dialed into funding sources, it only takes a small percentage to have a big impact on funding.

Chart 21

No

Yes

96%

4%

96%

4%

23



HaveyoucontributedmoneytoRhodesinthepast?

Almost one third of Old Rhodians responding to the survey have made financial contributions to the university. And another 6% intend to donate. With better information and more clarity on where and how they can earmark funds, these numbers should improve.

Chart 22

No

Yes

Plan to shortly

66%

28%

6%

66%

6%

28%

Whatwouldencourageyoutodonate,orleaveabequest,toRhodes?

Topping the list of what would encourage Old Rhodians to further support the institution financially were better transparency and knowledge of where contributions were being directed and adding value. Two additional triggers were interesting or groundbreaking projects or research at Rhodes (e.g. African coelacanth genome decoding), as well as inspirational success stories of disadvantaged students.

Chart 23

Betterunderstandingofwheremycontributionswouldgo

InterestingandgroundbreakingprojectsorresearchatRhodes

Inspirationalsuccessstoriesofdisadvantagedstudents

Emotional ties and links with other alumni

More contact and communication with the university

Personalized interaction and more relevant outreach by the university

Better understanding of the university’s vision and mission

Rhodes merchandise or memorabilia

Pressure from my peers who are donating to Rhodes

Meetings with the VC or other representatives

Name recognition and prominence

Other

47%

37%

24%

21%

18%

17%

14%

13%

3%

3%

5%

16%

24



Areyousatisfiedwithyourlifestyleand/orprofessionalpositionoverseas?

While 90 percent of Old Rhodians living abroad (387 out of the 957 surveyed) are satisfied with their lifestyle or professional position overseas, 32 percent would consider returning to, or retiring in, South Africa and 28 percent are undecided (Chart 30).

Chart 25

Yes

No

90%

10%

90%

10%

OLDRHODIANSLIVINGABROAD

Survey responses from Old Rhodians living abroad reveal a high degree of emotional connectivity to the country and a notable willingness to give back and share experiences. Many are also open to relocating back to South Africa given the right incentives and opportunities.

Chart 24

I currently live in South Africa

I currently live abroad

60%

40%

60%

40%

25



HowdoyouviewtransformationinSouthAfrica?

36 percent of Old Rhodians based abroad view transformation in South Africa positively, compared to 24 percent who view it negatively; 34 percent are neutral.

Chart 27

HowmuchdoyoustillidentifywithSouthAfrica?

The majority of Rhodes alumni who are Global South Africans still identify with their home country – 36 percent say they have strong emotional and cultural attachment and 51 percent retain affinity and connections

Chart 26

HowdoyoustayconnectedtonewsanddevelopmentsinSouthAfrica?

Friends and family remain the primary way for 81 percent of offshore Old Rhodians to stay connected to news and developments in South Africa; other important sources include Internet web sites (69 percent), international media (47 percent), and social media groups (41 percent)

Chart 28

Positively

Neutral (Neither positively or negatively)

Negatively

Don’t keep track of things in SA

36%

34%

24%

5%

Retainmyaffinityandconnections

Strong emotional and cultural attachment

Lost contact and moved on to a new life

51%

36%

13%

Friendsandfamily

Internet web sites

International media

Social media groups

South African publications

Professional or business relationships

Affinity groups and organizations

I don't stay connected

Other

81%

69%

47%

41%

25%

19%

7%

4%

2%

26



HowfrequentlydoyouvisitSouthAfrica?

Old Rhodians tend to be migratory birds. Some 34% return to South Africa once, or multiple times a year. Another 34% make trips to their country of birth every two or three years, while another 16% go back periodically. Just 4% say they will never return and only 18% say they seldom go back.

Chart 29

DoyouconsideryourselfanambassadororchampionoftheNewSouthAfrica?

While they may have left the country, Old Rhodians tend to be supportive of the New South Africa. Nearly 40% of those graduates living abroad consider themselves ambassadors and champions of the New South Africa compared to 29% who do not.

Chart 30

Morethanonceayear

Once a year

Once every two or three years

Periodically

More than once a year

Will never return

12%

22 %

29 %

16%

18%

4%

Yes

Indifferent

No

39%

32%

29%

39%

32%

29%

27



Doyouhaveanyinterestinreturningto,orretiringin,SouthAfrica?

Home is where the heart is. A sizable 32% of Old Rhodians living abroad are interested in returning to South Africa, either to work or retire. Another 27% are open and receptive to the possibility, while 41% plan to stay put.

Chart 31

DoyoufeelyourskillsandknowledgewouldbeusefulandvaluabletoSouthAfrica?

Whether they return or not, a whopping 73% of Old Rhodians living abroad feel their expertise, connections and experience would be useful and valuable to South Africa. Only 6% felt they did not have value to add.

Chart 32

No

Yes

Not sure

41%

32%

27%41%

32%

27%

Yes

Don't know

No

73%

21%

6%

73%

21%

6%

28



WouldyoubeinterestedinlearningmoreaboutexpatriateincentivestorelocatebacktoSouthAfrica?

Inducements and relocation assistance would encourage almost half of the Old Rhodians living abroad to consider returning to their home country.

Chart 33

Yes

No

48%

52%

48%

52%



72%72

NEW SURVEY by Rhodes University andThe SABLE Accelerator (www.sablenetwork.com)

of some 380 South African alumni living in22 countries worldwide reveals:

of Old Rhodian expats living abroad believe their skills

and knowledge would be usefulto South Africa

48484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848484848%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 555111%%%

say they would be interested in learning about incentives to

relocate backto South Africa

retain affinity and connections in

South Africa

report they have strong emotional and cultural attachment

to their home country

also view transformation in South

Africa positively

36%

36%



CoMMentaRy

The alumni research initiative aims to connect Rhodes with its growing, global pool of graduates. The positive feedback from this research will do much to shape the university’s communications strategy and channels of engagement. It will also assist the alumni relations team with activities and outreach that are more tailored, targeted and personal.

Providing more depth and insight into where individual contributions can be directed and add value is a clear mandate for the university as is the need to do a better job of keeping alumni updated on developments and new research undertakings at Rhodes. Moving to embrace social and mobile channels, along with improving content quality and delivery online, will do much to satisfy the desire for on-demand information, personalized push news and social engagement.

The university’s Journalism and Media Studies is an under-developed asset which could help mightily in producing rich media content, servicing global media channels with university news, and producing virtual extensions of milestone events hosted in Grahamstown, or on the university campus.

The alumni research project has stimulated more thinking internally about how to brand and position the university relative to its centers of excellence, unique academic environment, and the foundational, life stage experience it provides students. Enabling graduates to create lasting relationships is a much-valued attribute of a liberal arts education at Rhodes. Enabling students to achieve greater things in life by developing critical thinking and a well rounded, inquiring mindset is clearly a compelling value proposition that has lasting benefit.

Some 40 percent of Rhodes University graduates responding to the survey now live abroad. Many who have left the country during the past 50 years have gained valuable career experience, influential contacts and positions of prominence. For South Africa, this so-called “brain drain” could actually be a significant “brain gain,” both onshore and offshore.

“There is a massive pool of predisposed South African expatriate talent waiting to be tapped globally,” notes Donovan Neale-May, managing partner of The SABLE Accelerator (South African Business Link to Experts), and chairman of the Rhodes University Trust USA. “These stand-outs in many fields of endeavor are willing and eager to give back to the country. They just need to be invited, engaged, and recognized through a formal process of interaction.”

South Africa’s talent migration abroad has created a valuable knowledge network and an untapped asset base that can further the competitiveness of the country. A sizable 72 percent of Old Rhodian expats living in more than 20 overseas countries believe their skills and knowledge would be useful and valuable to South Africa and 48 percent say they would be interested in learning more about incentives to relocate back to South Africa.



the vICe-ChanCelloR's RePoRt 2013By Dr. Saleem Badat

As a University our work is informed by the reality that, despite some economic and social gains, post-1994 South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies. The divisions of race, class, gender and geography and the privileges and disadvantage associated with these are still all too evident – including in the town in which Rhodes University is located. An understanding of these core social challenges informs our overall social and educational goals and objectives.

As an outstanding university in South Africa our objectives are to produce knowledgeable, skilled and socially committed and compassionate intellectuals and graduates equipped to exercise

leadership in our society. We continue to pursue a trajectory of becoming more postgraduate and research-oriented without any compromise of the high quality undergraduate provision for which we are well recognised.

Ourkeytasksare:

• Ensuring that we provide effective academic and financial support to all our students, and especially black South African students who are from historically disadvantaged public schools;

• Identifying potential new postgraduate and research niche areas and programmes, and ensuring that there is effective planning, fund-raising and implementation;

• Developing appropriate institutional arrangements to enhance the quantity, the quality, the academic and social experience and the equity profile of our postgraduates, and especially South African postgraduates;

• Continuing to pursue further chairs in proven or potential new areas of academic excellence so that we continue to help grow South Africa’s knowledge economy.

• Improving the equity profile of our academic staff.

Institutionalplanning

Our newly implemented Institutional Development Plan (IDP) will ensure that Rhodes proactively shapes its future, and that it has carefully considered and formulated ideas on its academic and overall institutional trajectory and development. The IDP will through an open and participatory process:

• Ensure that there is an alignment between enrolment planning, academic planning, staffing, infrastructure planning and financial planning, and that planning occurs on a longer-term horizon;

• Ensure that Rhodes is financially sustainable taking into account its enrolments, academic programmes and operations, and its staffing and infrastructure requirements;

• Help us to effectively address and pursue new social and educational imperatives, goals and strategies.

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Integral to the IDP is a Transformation Plan that focuses on issues of equity, institutional culture, knowledge and curriculum. Furthermore, a Campus Development Plan guides the overall physical development and maintenance of the campus. A Green Fund has been created to support the University to institute environmentally friendly measures, initiatives and activities that ensure that Rhodes becomes a greener campus.

Enrolmentsandgraduations

Considerable attention was given to the development of a new enrolment plan for 2014 - 2019.

The projected enrolment growth between 2013 and 2019 is from 70% undergraduate to 68%; and from 30% to 32% postgraduate. The target enrolment for 2012 was a total of 7 576 students – 5 329 undergraduate students and 2 204 postgraduate students. We were under-enrolled by 183 students. We gave careful attention to the 2013 enrolments in order to try and meet our overall three year (2011 - 2013) targets: a total enrolment of 7 645 with 5 329 undergraduates and 2 273 postgraduates. We decided on a new first year intake target in 2013 of 1 600 students instead of the 2012 intake of 1 500.

Academicactivities

Rhodes is well positioned for our intention to become a more postgraduate university and to further enhance our contribution to knowledge production through research and scholarship. We have a vibrant and supportive research culture that produces the third best research output per capita staff member among South African Universities. We also have the second highest percentage of staff with PhDs (56%); and very good postgraduate graduation rates.

• In terms of graduations of the 2012 cohort:

• 340 students received undergraduate degrees;

• 948 students or 41% received postgraduate qualifications;

• 378 graduates or 60% were women;

• 495 or 22% were international students from 30 countries in the rest of Africa and around the world;

• We celebrated a new University record of 63 PhD;

• The Science Faculty produced 220 students with BSc degrees, 35 PhD graduates, 83 Masters graduates, 132 Honours graduates.

Research continued to thrive in 2012. Despite being the smallest university in South Africa, and comprising only 0.8% of South Africa’s university students and 1.9% of all full-time academic staff, we possessed 7% (10) of all the prestigious research chairs that are available to universities as part of the South African Research Chairs initiative (SARChI). Our SARChI chairs are in:

• Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology (Prof Tebello Nyokong)

• Marine Ecosystems (Prof Christopher McQuaid)

• Mathematics Education (Prof Marc Schafer)

• Numeracy (Prof Mellony Graven)

• Radio Astronomy (Prof Oleg Smirnov)

• Intellectualisation of African Languages, Multilingualism and Education (Prof Russell Kaschula)

• Insects in Sustainable Agricultural Ecosystems (Prof Steve Compton)

• Interdisciplinary Science in Land and Natural Resource Use for Sustainable Livelihoods (Prof Charlie Shackleton)

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• Marine Natural Products Research (in process), and

• Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction: Human and Social Dynamics (in process).

On the basis of our breadth and depth in water education and research, and in partnership with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the University of Fort Hare, we pressed on in our efforts to become a key institutional hub on the African continent in this field and to bid for a UNESCO facility. We also produced an exciting proposal in search of donor funding for a cooperative projects to promote isiXhosa as a language in higher education with other Eastern Cape and Western Cape universities.

Following a grant from Atlantic Philanthropy we look forward to the start-up for a project based in the History department on Addressing Legacies of the Apartheid Wars.

During 2012, the Education Faculty gave further attention to how and what Rhodes could contribute to improving schooling in the Eastern Cape, especially through our teacher education programmes. We continued discussions with the Department of Higher Education & Training in this regard.

The University can express especial satisfaction with the continuing development and progress in community engagement and service learning. From a modest beginning in 2006 with a single staff member, today Rhodes has a Director of Community Engagement, five additional staff and a dedicated budget for community outreach, staff and student volunteerism and service-learning. A range of partnerships exist between Rhodes and various kinds of communities and significant numbers of students and clubs and societies are involved in myriad activities. Our objective is to institutionalize service-learning as a curricular innovation that builds on the core knowledge dissemination and production purposes of the university and is infused in the teaching and learning and research activities of the university and staff and students.

Staffing

Progress in improving the equity profile of academic and support staff remains a significant challenge. Attention is being paid to institutional culture issues through various studies and strategies under the leadership of a Director of Equity and Institutional Culture. Donor funding from the Mellon and Kresge foundations, supplemented by Rhodes University funding, is being used for an innovative accelerated programme to develop black South African and women scholars who are guaranteed employment at Rhodes on successful completion.

Infrastructure

Our increasing enrolments necessarily have implications for academic infrastructure (academic buildings, lecture, seminar and tutorial venues and

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laboratories), undergraduate and postgraduate residences, and also for staff and developmental and financial planning Especial attention is being given to putting in place the structures and processes and mobilising the finances to sustain our trajectory of becoming a more postgraduate and research-oriented university.

• We also have to consider the capability and capacity of Makana Municipality to provide the necessary services to support larger enrolments and new infrastructure.

Since2007wehave:

• Built a spectacular new library, completely renovated the existing library and released academic space through the incorporation of some branch libraries into the main library – a cost of R75 million;

• Built five new residences – cost of some R100 million;

• Built a new environmental education building – cost of R12 million;

• Built a new Desmond Tutu dining hall;

• Added additional ICT bandwidth and speed with considerable future savings.

Currently, a new building for teacher education is being completed at a cost of some R17 million.

During 2012 we received welcome new infrastructure funding from the DHET. The salient aspects of the new funding were the following:

• Despite constituting only 0.8% of the student body and commanding only 1.2% of public subsidy funding, we received 2.9% of total infrastructure funding of R5.9 billion. Our share was even better – we were only able to bid for a total pool of R2.2 billion, and our share of this was 7.5%;

• We received R169.6 million over the three years, beginning with an initial allocation of R56.5 million;

• Our matching contribution was R28.7 million – which was 14.5% of the total approved funding of R198.3 million. This was higher than the previous 10% we had to contribute in the first two rounds of Infrastructure & Efficiency Funding;

• The specific allocations were as follows:

• A new Life Sciences building - R86.2 million; our contribution is R14.6 million, giving a total of R100.8 million.

• A new School of Language building – R25.8 million; our contribution is R5.5 million, giving a total of R31.3 million.

• Improvements in Pharmacy facilities and equipment - R 21.8 million; our contribution is R2.4 million, giving a total of R24.2 million.

• A new undergraduate residence and refurbishment of current residences – R30.9 million; our contribution is R5.9 million, giving a total of R36.8 million.

• Improvements in disability access – R2.8 million; our contribution is R0.2 million, giving a total of R3.0 million.

• A contribution towards our project management costs of R2 million.

The Council of the University confirmed to the DHET by 15 December 2012 that it approved the projects, and that it would meet the R28.7 own contribution that was required and would also ensure that our projects would satisfy all the stipulated conditions.



ReseaRCh PaRtneRs

RhodesUniversity

Rhodes University (www.ru.ac.za) is one of South Africa's 'top fi ve' research-intensive tertiary institutions. Based in the academic enclave of Grahamstown near Port Elizabeth in theEastern Cape Province, it has for 109 years produced graduates of outstanding quality. Althoughthe smallest university in the country with 7,500 students, it boasts amongst the highest graduation and throughput rates and is currently host to six national research chairs. www.ru.ac.za

TheSABLEAccelerator

The SABLE Accelerator (South African Business Link to Experts) aims to further South Africa’s economic interests through global knowledge transfer and the growth of a trusted expert network of expatriate South Africans willing to contribute back to their country of birth through coaching mentoring, consulting, advising, teaching, training, funding or donating. SABLE consultants, advisors and academic faculty include a wide range of successful business leaders, international domain experts, educators, venture capitalists, consultants, authors, professional service providers, government representatives, advertising and marketing gurus, trade and commerce experts, as well as non-profi t innovators. More information is available at www.sablenetwork.com.

GlobalFluency

GlobalFluency is a high-performance marketing and communications services fi rm off ering clients breakthrough programs for infl uencing markets, growing customer relationships and building valued brands. Its capabilities span brand activation, contentmarketing, creative and digital services, public relations, social engagement, lead generation, and executive affi nity network management. Based in Silicon Valley, GlobalFluency’s special competency is Intelligent Market Engagement™, an integrated communications model that leverages best-in-class content marketing and thought leadershippractices to accent market needs, predispose decision makers and rapidly accelerate lead generation and prospect harvesting. Visit www.globalfluency.com.

rhodes university trust uk

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