In view of Eskom's countrywide load-shedding programme, and given its potentially serious long-term impact on academic activities and on the general wellbeing of staff and students, the University Executive has begun an inclusive process of planning by way of investigating various options which will allow us to function in an environment that is conducive to teaching, learning and research.
A committee chaired by Professor Isobel Konyn has been established to expeditiously evaluate available options and to recommend the most effective solutions open to the university in the short, medium and long terms.
For registration and the commencement of lectures, plans are being put in place to use short-term standby generators. These are costly and are in short supply and therefore only critical buildings will be serviced. These will include, for example, lecture theatres without natural light and ventilation. Further information in this regard will be communicated to the University community within the next week.
Any long term solution will involve a significant and unbudgeted cost and the University community is encouraged to seek ways to conserve electrical energy at all times. Please switch off lights, PC's, laboratory equipment and air conditioners when going home and try using natural lighting whenever possible. The university community is also requested to assist in identifying only that which needs to be electrically powered in order to achieve smooth functioning.
The University is aware that power cuts can have a negative effect on certain machinery and instruments. In order to allow us to protect as many assets as we can, please email information to konyn@ukzn.ac.za. Please state the nature of the machine, its location and its approximate value. Any comments and suggestions you may have are most welcome.
Professor Isobel Konyn
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