Confident of Walter Sisulu University's future success in Buffalo City, the institution's new Vice-Chancellor plans to build a multi-million-rand technology park in East London.

Outlining his vision, Professor Marcus Balintulo said this would see the creation of "a state-of-the-art campus which will specialise in equipping our students with all the required skills in science, engineering and technology, but at the same time provide students with full student life."

"There will be laboratories, of course, but also adjacent residences, with a cultural centre with restaurants, something that will bring a jovial vibe. We want a place where the whole student experience is played out in an environment with a well-defined space," said Balintulo.

University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Professor Derrick Swartz shared a similar R800 million vision with the Daily Dispatch a month ago that included a target of bringing 10,000 students onto the university's city campus over the next decade.

"Although I am not in a position to talk about costs at this stage, this is part of our Institutional Operating Plan which we will present to the council for approval on Thursday," said Balintulo.

"We are looking at maybe collaborating with other institutions, such as Fort Hare for an example. Let's say we can have residences to accommodate students from both institutions. What we all agree on is that East London is somewhat laid back compared to other cities like Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It needs to be injected with some life. You will be surprised at the business culture that can be attracted through students. Even for tourism," he said. Asked about time-frames for "Techno Park", Balintulo said: "We are treating the idea with some level of urgency. Initially it was a long-term vision, but now we have shifted it to become one of our priorities in the mid-term."

Balintulo, who joined WSU in January this year, is the first VC for the newly merged Border Technikon, Eastern Cape Technikon and University of Transkei.

He said his main focus this year would be to bring some stability to the institution by dealing with the issue of harmonising salaries as a matter of urgency.

Balintulo said some WSU staff were getting paid way above what they were qualified for, while others were earning far less.

"We are going to the Joint Bargaining Forum in a few weeks' time (March 30) where we will be dealing with these issues as a matter of urgency," he said.

Discrepancies between salary packages caused major disruptions last year. The wage dispute resulted in one month's strike action by staff, who demanded 12 percent salary increases while the university management initially offered nothing.

An agreement on a 4% salary increase across the board eventually ended the strike.

A few months later, WSU was forced to take out a R16 million overdraft to pay staff salaries for December and January.

Balintulo said the institution was clearly in debt because "our personnel costs presently far exceed the acceptable norm".

"I cannot say there will never be a strike here again at WSU. What I can promise is to engage with all stakeholders as best as I can ? not just myself, but the management team."

"And if we are all here for students and any of our actions affect the students negatively, we really ought to think twice. Unions have every right to strike, (just) as all of us have the right to exercise our rights, but we have to strike a balance."

Daily Dispatch