The programmes are also being evaluated in terms of their integration of a decolonisation component. They need to impart Mandela graduate attributes (professionalism and integrity, resilience, socially conscious, responsible global citizens and progress agency).
Professor Muki Moeng
“All graduates need to be ready for the world of work or for entrepreneurship,” according to Professor Muki Moeng, Deputy-Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching.
She explained that when the University merged in 2005, it had to reconfigure its PQM, as a comprehensive university.
“It had to accommodate vocational, professional, practical and traditional programmes which saw the institution offering programmes from a Higher Certificate up to PhD.”
The Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework process that was led by the Council on Higher Education also had an impact on the review of the PQM, through the alignment process.
“However, this PQM review takes a holistic approach as it looks at how our programmes align with Vision 2030 while being responsive to today’s realities.”
The aim of the review is to also align qualifications with the University’s positioning as an African university with global relevance. The agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals’ 2030, South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and the African 2063 Agenda, (which guides Africa’s development) frames the review.
Prof Moeng explained that universities review their programmes in “line with the human, economic and environmental conditions” they are facing.
The University takes it cue from White Paper 3 of 1997 – a programme for the transformation of higher education, whereby its PQM needs to provide “access and opportunities of multiple pathways for the lifelong learning and success of our students”.
She said, “Artificial Intelligence is pushing itself into the global higher education sector, demanding new ways of thinking about all dimensions of the work of universities. Other global mega-phenomena that impact on higher education are unemployment and livelihood crises, climate change, youth disillusionment, a need for lifelong learning, the digital divide, rapid urbanisation, quality healthcare, corruption, discrimination and gender-based violence; as well as the changing nature of the world of work.”
The review is looking at:
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Programmes which could be retained and/or lead to the introduction of new programmes.
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Programmes that need re-imagining which could lead to the repurposing, consolidation and/or re-curriculation of existing programmes.
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Programmes which could be considered for phasing out and
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Any other relevant and aligned solution.
The review is based on the following strategic focus areas:
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Liberate human potential through humanising, innovative lifelong learning experiences that prepare graduates to be socially conscious, responsible global citizens who serve the public good.
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Pursue impactful, pioneering research, innovation and internationalisation to address grand societal challenges and promote sustainable futures.
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Engage with all publics in equalising partnerships to co-create transformative, contextually responsive solutions in pursuit of social justice and equality and
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Catalyse dynamic, student-centric approaches and practices that provide life-changing student experiences within and beyond the classroom.
Furthermore, the learning and innovation competencies that students are required to have include:
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Intellectual curiosity
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Critical thinking
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Innovation and creativity
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Communication and
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Collaboration.
Prof Moeng said, the aim of the review is “to co-create a sustainable PQM that is contextually responsive by investigating the strategic alignment, academic effectiveness and resource sustainability of all programmes on the PQM of the Nelson Mandela University, undergraduate and postgraduate, taught and research”.
According to Prof Nonnie Botha, Project Manager of the PQM Review Project and Emeritus Professor at the University, consultations took place with the Deanery, Faculty Boards and all the divisions that support the academic project.
"This is a participatory and consultative project that is owned by all the stakeholders, as it is of benefit to the academic enterprise and the University at large. Consultation has been iterative and deep from the start and will continue in this way until the project is completed."