COUNCIL STATEMENT

Our vision as a Council is to develop a Training Institute capable of improving knowledge and skills in sustainable agriculture and forestry through effective teaching and learning, applied research and extending our contribution to the community we serve. We do this in support of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform’s catalytic role is socio-economic transformation in the province and the rest of the country through our contribution to education and skill development.

The Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan puts access to education and training of the highest quality at the centre of tackling the triplet challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. It further places agriculture as one of the engines to promote an integrated and inclusive rural economy. Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute is endowed with a history and experience dating back to the early 1930s of contributing to education and training as well as agriculture and forestry development. We intend using our experiences to respond to the challenges of the NDP 2030 whilst modelling a future ideal Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry.

The Council has identified for the Institute the following outcomes for the medium-term period:

> Improving corporate governance within the Institute;
> Effective and Efficient Human Capital Management and Development;
> Relevant academic programme responsive to the needs of the Industry an
aligned to the Fourth Industrial Revolution;
> Conducive environment that inspires effective vocational modern teaching and
learning;
> Enhanced teaching and learning, applied research, and community outreach;
> Improved students’ entrepreneurial competencies;
> Improved agriculture and forestry skills programmes that promote rural wealth
creation;
> Improved farming environment that promotes and supports teaching and
learning, applied research, and community outreach; and
> Improved agricultural production and profitability for the farm.

We as a Council, are confident that the Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 is cognisant of the transition the Institute is going through (Provincial Entity to a National Competency Entity) and takes into consideration all possible implications there-of. As the sector brazes itself for the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on Higher Education and Training, research and innovation, the Institute stands ready to re-configure its mode of teaching and learning, research and infrastructure-built programme.

We are confident that implementation here-to through the leadership of our Principal will ensure that our committed targeted outcomes are achieved. The Council would like to extend a special word of gratitude to all those members of the Fort Cox Stakeholder Community who made it possible to produce this FCAFTI Strategic Plan: 2021 – 2025 under severe time constraints.

Dr. P Lupuwana
Council Chairperson