SOVENGA - The Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa) and the University of the North (Unin) have been formally merged into one institution, to be known as the University of Limpopo.

Prof Tebogo Mokgoro, a former Director-General of the North West Provincial government, who is chairperson of the interim council of the new university, announced various appointments during a ceremony at the Turfloop campus, near Polokwane, on Wednesday.

Prof Mahlo Mokgalong, until recently the Principal of Unin, has been appointed as Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Limpopo. Prof Peter Franks, a senior Unin faculty member, becomes Campus Principal and deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Turfloop campus of the new institution, while Dr Moffat Dyasi, until recently executive assistant to the Vice-Chancellor of Medunsa, takes up a similar post on the Medunsa campus.

The members of the interim universityy council will be Dr Russell Ally of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Mr Grant Dunnington (Managing Director of SBV Services Ltd), Mr MF Kekana (Chief Executive of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund), Mr Lesetja Kganyago (Director-General of the South African Treasury), Mr Sefako Mafojane (an attorney), Judge Mokgadi Mailula, Dr Percy Mahlathi, (Deputy-Director of the National Department of Health) and Ms Riah Phiyega of Transnet Ltd.

Addressing students and faculty members from both campuses, Prof Mokgoro said the merging process presented numerous challenges, which were still being addressed on an ongoing basis. Questions surrounding communications, the long distance between the two campuses, uncertain future job descriptions, and poor production during the interim period, were among the problems which had arisen.

"The most important stakeholders, our students, must not be allowed to suffer adversely during the continuing merging process", he said.

Everyone would emerge as winners, if the task was tackled properly, through sound coordination, mutual cooperation, constructive collaboration and solid commitment by all concerned, he added.