Challenges and opportunities : mergers within mergers in the context of student counselling

The University of Johannesburg was established on 1 January 2005 as a result of the merger between the Rand Afrikaans University and the Technikon Witwatersrand. The focus of this paper is not on the high-level merger aspects, but rather on the internal ‘merger within the merger’ of the various Units, Institutes, Bureaus and Divisions dealing with the psycho-social and career-focused activities within the University. The discussion is presented in a case study format, reflecting and tracking the actual merger process, from inception to implementation along tight timelines. Challenges and opportunities that have emanated as a result of the development of quality promotion processes and activities within PsyCaD are presented in terms of their significance for the promotion of quality and the operation of PsyCaD as a fully contributing Centre under the University’s strategic plan, while providing excellent service delivery, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting the implementation of new ideas, generating income and being responsive to community needs