Tertiary institutions in South Africa, like the University of Cape Town (pictured here), are in a state of flux and change. ShutterstockIt seems almost certain that South Africa’s universities cannot return to “business as usual” after the student protests that marked 2015. Some have asked what academics will learn from the protests and how they will - or won’t - alter their … [Read more...] about How academic staff development can contribute to changing universities | The Conversation
Universities
After protests, it can’t be business as usual at South Africa’s universities | The Conversation
Things can't just carry on as 'normal' now that university students in South Africa have demanded massive systemic change. Shiraaz Mohamed/EPASouth Africa’s higher education ministry issued a “call to action” in October 2015 for real change in the sector. It wants universities to become more democratic spaces whose staff and student bodies represent the country’s … [Read more...] about After protests, it can’t be business as usual at South Africa’s universities | The Conversation
South Africa’s universities risk becoming bureaucratic degree factories | The Conversation
Universities are losing sight of their role as places of teaching and learning. Instead, they are becoming hugely stressed business enterprises. ShutterstockUniversities around the world have become stressed business enterprises. Funding considerations now dominate institutional strategy. This commercialisation is often driven by falling government subsidies and funding … [Read more...] about South Africa’s universities risk becoming bureaucratic degree factories | The Conversation
Universities must rethink how they retain and nurture young academics | The Conversation
Producing brilliant graduates is one thing – developing and nurturing those who want to remain in academia is quite another. Jason Reed/ReutersIn the years after South Africa became a democracy, the country’s universities began a tough process of change. They worked to improve access for students across the board of race and gender. They introduced a number of “accelerated … [Read more...] about Universities must rethink how they retain and nurture young academics | The Conversation
Workplace skills development levy could be used to fund universities
Bloomberg News reports that the government may reallocate money collected through a workplace skills levy to help fund universities. The funds are levied in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998. This comes amid protests by tertiary students against fee increases that have shut classes. “There are a lot of imbalances in the system”, […] The post … [Read more...] about Workplace skills development levy could be used to fund universities
